Role

:

Conductor  

Period

:

Romantic

Genre

:

Choral

 

 

Keyboard

 

 

Opera

 

 

Orchestral

 

 

Vocal

 

Koen Kessels is a renowned Belgian conductor and pianist, known for his exceptional talent and passion for classical music. Born on August 17, 1958, in Antwerp, Belgium, Kessels showed an early interest in music and began playing the piano at the age of six. He went on to study at the Royal Conservatory of Antwerp, where he received his degree in piano performance. After completing his studies, Kessels began his career as a pianist, performing in various concerts and recitals across Europe. However, he soon discovered his true passion for conducting and decided to pursue it as a career. He went on to study conducting at the Royal Conservatory of Brussels and later at the Royal Academy of Music in London. Kessels' talent and dedication soon caught the attention of several renowned conductors, including Sir Simon Rattle and Valery Gergiev. He was invited to work as an assistant conductor with the London Philharmonic Orchestra and the Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra, where he gained valuable experience and honed his skills as a conductor. In 1991, Kessels made his debut as a conductor with the Royal Ballet in London, conducting the production of "The Nutcracker." This marked the beginning of his successful career as a conductor, and he went on to conduct several other productions with the Royal Ballet, including "Swan Lake" and "The Sleeping Beauty." Kessels' talent and expertise soon earned him a reputation as one of the most sought-after conductors in the world. He has conducted several major orchestras, including the London Philharmonic Orchestra, the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, the Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra, and the Brussels Philharmonic Orchestra. One of Kessels' most notable achievements was his appointment as the music director of the Royal Ballet in 2005. He held this position for ten years, during which he conducted several critically acclaimed productions, including "Giselle," "Romeo and Juliet," and "The Nutcracker." Kessels has also worked extensively with opera companies, conducting productions at the Royal Opera House in London, the Opera de Paris, and the Flemish Opera in Belgium. He has conducted several notable productions, including "La Traviata," "Carmen," and "Don Giovanni." In addition to his work as a conductor, Kessels is also an accomplished pianist. He has performed as a soloist with several orchestras, including the London Philharmonic Orchestra and the Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra. Kessels' talent and dedication have earned him several awards and accolades throughout his career. In 2009, he was awarded the title of "Cultural Ambassador of Flanders" by the Flemish government in recognition of his contributions to the arts. He has also been awarded the "Order of the Crown" by the Belgian government for his services to music. Kessels continues to be an active and influential figure in the world of classical music. He is currently the music director of the Brussels Philharmonic Orchestra and the Vlaamse Opera in Belgium. He also serves as a guest conductor for several major orchestras and opera companies around the world. In conclusion, Koen Kessels is a highly accomplished and respected conductor and pianist, known for his exceptional talent and dedication to classical music. His career has been marked by numerous achievements and accolades, and he continues to inspire and influence musicians and music lovers around the world.

More....