Royal Danish Orchestra

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Royal Danish Orchestra
Orchestra
Short nameRDO
Founded1448; 576 years ago (1448)
LocationCopenhagen
Concert hallCopenhagen Opera House
Principal conductorMarie Jacquot (designate, effective 2024)
WebsiteRDO
Kapellet

The Royal Danish Orchestra (Danish: Det Kongelige Kapel) is a Danish orchestra based in

Takkelloftet. Most ballet and some opera performances takes place at the Old Stage of the Royal Danish Theatre
.

History

The orchestra traces its origins back to 1448 and the trumpet corps at the royal court of King Christian I, and thus has claims to be the oldest orchestra in the world.

Over the years, the orchestra moved out of the court and settled down in the pit at the Royal Danish Theatre. Its leaders included Christoph Willibald Gluck, who composed the music for special occasions such as the celebration of the birth, in 1749, of the later King Christian VII, whilst in Denmark. A growing number of engagements saw an increase in the size of the orchestra. When Johann Gottlieb Naumann carried out his reforms in the 1780s, the ensemble numbered 46 members. At this time, the Chorus of the Royal Danish Opera became permanently assigned to the Royal Danish Theatre. F. L. Æ. Kunzen introduced Mozart into the ensemble's repertoire in the 1790s.

The tenure of

Danish music, while the major symphonies became the domain of the orchestra. Carl Nielsen served with the orchestra for many years, partly as 2nd violinist and partly as conductor. King Frederik IX
enjoyed a particularly close relationship with the Royal Danish Orchestra, pursuing with its members his interest for the art of conducting.

Gammel scene or Old Stage at Kongens Nytorv, home of the Royal Danish Orchestra since 1874

Michael Schønwandt was the orchestra's principal conductor, from 2000 to 2011. In September 2011, the orchestra announced the appointment of Jakub Hrůša as its next music director, effective September 2013.[1] However, in January 2012, in the wake of the resignation of Keith Warner from the artistic directorship of the Royal Danish Opera following proposed budget cuts, Hrůša announced that he would not take the music directorship of Royal Danish Opera, and with that the corresponding post with the Royal Danish Orchestra, in solidarity with Warner's action.[2] In May 2012, the orchestra announced the appointment of Michael Boder as its next chief conductor and artistic advisor, effective August 2012. Boder held the post through 2016. In November 2017, the orchestra announced Alexander Vedernikov as its next chief conductor. Vedernikov held the post from 2018 until his death in October 2020.[3]

The orchestra's current principal guest conductor is Paolo Carignani, as of the 2021–2022 season, with an initial contract of 3 years. In February 2022, the orchestra announced the appointment of Marie Jacquot as its next music director, effective with the 2024–2025 season, with an initial contract of 5 years.[4] Jacquot is the first female conductor to be named music director of Det Kongelige Kapel.

Principal conductors

References

  1. ^ Mia Kjeldset (2011-09-30). "Stjernefrø skal svinge kongelig dirigentstok". Danish Radio (DR), PR 4 København. Archived from the original on 2012-07-30. Retrieved 2011-10-16.
  2. ^ Torben Benner (2012-01-24). "Medarbejdere på Operaen er i chok efter chefs smækken med døren". Politiken. Archived from the original on 2012-04-07. Retrieved 2012-05-27.
  3. ^ "Russian conductor Alexander Vedernikov has died, aged 56". Classical Music / BBC Music Magazine. 2020-10-30. Retrieved 2020-12-22.
  4. ^ "Marie Jacquot appointed Chief Conductor for The Royal Danish Theatre" (Press release). Royal Danish Theatre. 1 February 2022. Retrieved 2022-02-03.

External links