Sir Donald Runnicles' inaugural concert in Dresden

A Sir will stand at the podium of the venerable Dresden Philharmonic Orchestra in future. In October 2020, the conductor Donald Runnicles was awarded a knighthood by Queen Elizabeth II (1926-2022) in recognition of his musical achievements. The 71-year-old is now giving his inaugural concert in Dresden - with two works by compatriots. The 4th Symphony by Sir James MacMillan - who holds the title of "Composer in Residence" at the Philharmonie this season - will be followed by Gustav Holst's suite "The Planets". The Philharmonic Choir will also take part in the performance.

Runnicles is a guest of leading orchestras and opera houses

Runnicles comes from Edinburgh. He studied horn, piano and conducting in Cambridge and London. His first engagements took him to Mannheim and Freiburg. He was later Music Director of the San Francisco Opera and Chief Conductor of the Orchestra of St. Luke's. He then moved to the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra in the same position. Runnicles regularly appears with leading orchestras and opera houses around the world. He will remain General Music Director of the Deutsche Oper Berlin until mid-2026.

Tchaikovsky and Dvořák conducted the Dresden Philharmonic

The Dresden Philharmonic is one of the top orchestras in Germany and can look back on a rich history. Composers such as Peter Tchaikovsky, Antonín Dvořák and Richard Strauss have conducted here. In 1909, the Dresden orchestra was the first German orchestra to tour the US, giving 56 concerts in 30 cities over 60 days. After the Second World War, they initially played in a temporary venue, and from 1969 in the Kulturpalast on the Altmarkt. In spring 2017, the new hall was inaugurated in the palace.