Saxon State Orchestra Dresden
Founded in 1548 by Elector Moritz of Saxony, the Staatskapelle Dresden is one of the oldest and most prestigious orchestras in the world.
Since its inception, renowned conductors and internationally acclaimed instrumentalists have shaped the history of this former court orchestra. Its leaders have included Heinrich Schütz, Johann Adolf Hasse, Carl Maria von Weber, and Richard Wagner, who referred to the orchestra as his "miracle harp." Distinguished chief conductors of the last 100 years have included Ernst von Schuch, Fritz Reiner, Fritz Busch, Karl Böhm, Joseph Keilberth, Rudolf Kempe, Otmar Suitner, Kurt Sanderling, Herbert Blomstedt, and Giuseppe Sinopoli. From 2002 to 2004, Bernard Haitink and Fabio Luisi (2007–2010) led the orchestra. Since the 2012/2013 season, Christian Thielemann has been the chief conductor of the Staatskapelle Dresden. In May 2016, the former and long-serving chief conductor Herbert Blomstedt was appointed honorary conductor of the orchestra. This title had previously only been held by Sir Colin Davis, from 1990 until his death in 2013. Myung-Whun Chung has held the title of Principal Guest Conductor since the 2012/2013 season.
Richard Strauss maintained a close friendship with the Staatskapelle for more than sixty years. Nine of his operas, including "Salome," "Elektra," and "Der Rosenkavalier," premiered in Dresden; he dedicated his "Alpine Symphony" to the Staatskapelle. Numerous other famous composers also wrote works that were premiered by the Staatskapelle or dedicated to it. The orchestra has continued this tradition since 2007 with the title "Capell-Compositeur." Following Hans Werner Henze, Sofia Gubaidulina, Wolfgang Rihm, and György Kurtág, the Estonian composer Arvo Pärt will hold this title in the 2017/2018 season. The pianist Denis Matsuev will be featured as the new Capell Virtuoso, performing in Dresden and on tour.
As one of the most sought-after symphony orchestras internationally, the Staatskapelle Dresden regularly performs in the world's major music centers. Since 2013, the Staatskapelle Dresden has been the orchestra of the Salzburg Easter Festival, under the artistic direction of Christian Thielemann.
The Staatskapelle is also active in the region: since October 2008, it has been the patron orchestra of the Meetingpoint Music Messiaen, which opened on January 15, 2015, in the twin cities of Görlitz and Zgorzelec. In September 2010, she also co-founded the International Shostakovich Days Gohrisch (Saxon Switzerland), the only festival worldwide dedicated annually to the work of composer Dmitri Shostakovich.
In 2007, the Staatskapelle Dresden was the first and, to date, only orchestra to receive the European Cultural Foundation's Prize for the Preservation of Musical World Heritage in Brussels.
Volkswagen AG is a partner of the Staatskapelle Dresden.
Since its inception, renowned conductors and internationally acclaimed instrumentalists have shaped the history of this former court orchestra. Its leaders have included Heinrich Schütz, Johann Adolf Hasse, Carl Maria von Weber, and Richard Wagner, who referred to the orchestra as his "miracle harp." Distinguished chief conductors of the last 100 years have included Ernst von Schuch, Fritz Reiner, Fritz Busch, Karl Böhm, Joseph Keilberth, Rudolf Kempe, Otmar Suitner, Kurt Sanderling, Herbert Blomstedt, and Giuseppe Sinopoli. From 2002 to 2004, Bernard Haitink and Fabio Luisi (2007–2010) led the orchestra. Since the 2012/2013 season, Christian Thielemann has been the chief conductor of the Staatskapelle Dresden. In May 2016, the former and long-serving chief conductor Herbert Blomstedt was appointed honorary conductor of the orchestra. This title had previously only been held by Sir Colin Davis, from 1990 until his death in 2013. Myung-Whun Chung has held the title of Principal Guest Conductor since the 2012/2013 season.
Richard Strauss maintained a close friendship with the Staatskapelle for more than sixty years. Nine of his operas, including "Salome," "Elektra," and "Der Rosenkavalier," premiered in Dresden; he dedicated his "Alpine Symphony" to the Staatskapelle. Numerous other famous composers also wrote works that were premiered by the Staatskapelle or dedicated to it. The orchestra has continued this tradition since 2007 with the title "Capell-Compositeur." Following Hans Werner Henze, Sofia Gubaidulina, Wolfgang Rihm, and György Kurtág, the Estonian composer Arvo Pärt will hold this title in the 2017/2018 season. The pianist Denis Matsuev will be featured as the new Capell Virtuoso, performing in Dresden and on tour.
As one of the most sought-after symphony orchestras internationally, the Staatskapelle Dresden regularly performs in the world's major music centers. Since 2013, the Staatskapelle Dresden has been the orchestra of the Salzburg Easter Festival, under the artistic direction of Christian Thielemann.
The Staatskapelle is also active in the region: since October 2008, it has been the patron orchestra of the Meetingpoint Music Messiaen, which opened on January 15, 2015, in the twin cities of Görlitz and Zgorzelec. In September 2010, she also co-founded the International Shostakovich Days Gohrisch (Saxon Switzerland), the only festival worldwide dedicated annually to the work of composer Dmitri Shostakovich.
In 2007, the Staatskapelle Dresden was the first and, to date, only orchestra to receive the European Cultural Foundation's Prize for the Preservation of Musical World Heritage in Brussels.
Volkswagen AG is a partner of the Staatskapelle Dresden.
