Role

:

Conductor

Country

:

United Kingdom

Birth

:

November 16, 1954 in Edinburgh, Scotland

Genre

:

Choral

 

 

Opera

 

 

Orchestral

 

Donald Runnicles is a renowned Scottish conductor and musician who has made a significant impact on the classical music world. Born on November 16, 1954, in Edinburgh, Scotland, Runnicles showed an early interest in music and began playing the piano at the age of six. He later studied at the University of Edinburgh, where he earned a degree in music. After completing his studies, Runnicles began his career as a conductor, working with various orchestras in Scotland and England. In 1989, he was appointed as the principal conductor of the Scottish Opera, a position he held until 1993. During his tenure, he led the company in several critically acclaimed productions, including Wagner's "Ring Cycle." In 1990, Runnicles made his debut with the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, and in 1993, he was appointed as the orchestra's principal conductor. He held this position until 2002, during which time he led the orchestra in numerous performances and recordings, including a highly acclaimed cycle of Mahler's symphonies. In addition to his work with the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, Runnicles has also served as the principal guest conductor of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra since 2001. He has led the orchestra in several notable performances, including a critically acclaimed production of Wagner's "Tristan und Isolde" in 2004. Runnicles has also worked extensively in the opera world, conducting productions at some of the world's most prestigious opera houses, including the Metropolitan Opera, the Royal Opera House, and the San Francisco Opera. He has collaborated with some of the most renowned singers of our time, including Plácido Domingo, Renée Fleming, and Bryn Terfel. One of Runnicles' most significant achievements was his appointment as the music director of the Deutsche Oper Berlin in 2009. He held this position until 2015, during which time he led the company in several critically acclaimed productions, including Wagner's "Ring Cycle" and Strauss's "Elektra." Throughout his career, Runnicles has received numerous awards and accolades for his contributions to the classical music world. In 2005, he was awarded the OBE (Order of the British Empire) for his services to music, and in 2011, he was awarded the Royal Philharmonic Society's Conductor Award. In addition to his work as a conductor, Runnicles is also an accomplished pianist and has performed as a soloist with several orchestras. He has recorded extensively, with over 50 recordings to his name, including several award-winning recordings of Mahler's symphonies. In conclusion, Donald Runnicles is a highly respected and accomplished conductor and musician who has made a significant impact on the classical music world. His extensive work with orchestras and opera companies around the world has earned him numerous awards and accolades, and his recordings are widely regarded as some of the best in the classical music canon.

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