The Staatskapelle Halle is a German
symphony orchestra based in
Halle, Saxony-Anhalt
Halle (Saale), or simply Halle (; from the 15th to the 17th century: ''Hall in Sachsen''; until the beginning of the 20th century: ''Halle an der Saale'' ; from 1965 to 1995: ''Halle/Saale'') is the largest city of the German state of Saxony-An ...
, Germany. Part of the umbrella organisation ''Theater, Oper und Orchester GmbH Halle'', the orchestra performs symphonic concerts, and also serves as the orchestra for the ''Oper Halle''.
History
The historical precursor ensemble was the ''Hallische Stadtorchester'', formed in 1852. Separately, Max Richards founded the ''Stadttheater-Orchester'', and later in 1907, the ''Hallesche Orchester-Vereinigung''. The theatre orchestra evolved into the Handel Festival Orchestra by 1957.
In 1934, Bruno Vandenhoff became the first ''Generalmusikdirektor'' (GMD) in Halle. In 1946, Arthur Bohnhardt established the ''Hallische Volkssinfonieorchester'', but left for West Berlin in 1949. This ensemble received the new name ''Staatliches Sinfonieorchester Halle'' in 1954.
In 2006, the current Staatskapelle Halle was formed from the merger of the ''Philharmonischen Staatsorchesters'' with the Handel Festival Orchestra. Karl-Heinz Steffens was the first ''Generalmusikdirektor'' of the orchestra under its present name, from 2008 to 2013.
Josep Caballé Domenech
Josep Caballé Domenech (born 1973) is a Spanish musician and conductor. Caballé Domenech has recently been appointed Principal Conductor of the Moritzburg Festival Germany) and he is also in his eighth season as Music Director of the Colorado S ...
was the next chief conductor, from 2013 to 2018.
In September 2018, the orchestra announced the appointment of
Ariane Matiakh
Ariane Matiakh (born 1980) is a French conductor.
Biography
The daughter of two opera singers, Matiakh obtained prizes in piano, chamber music, conducting at the ''Conservatoire à rayonnement régional de Reims'' and piano accompaniment at th ...
as the new ''Generalmusikdirektorin'' of the Theater, Oper und Orchester GmbH Halle, effective with the 2019-2020 season. Matiakh was the first female conductor ever to be named to the posts. In January 2020, by mutual agreement, Matiakh resigned from the company.
In May 2022, the orchestra announced the appointment of
Fabrice Bollon
Fabrice Bollon (born Paris, 1965) is a French conductor and composer.
Biography
Bollon studied with Michael Gielen and Nikolaus Harnoncourt in Paris and at the Mozarteum in Salzburg. He subsequently continued his studies with Georges Prêtre an ...
as its next GMD, effective with the 2022-2023 season, with an initial contract of 5 years.
General Music Directors
*
Karl-Heinz Steffens
Karl-Heinz Steffens (born 28 November 1961) is a German clarinetist and conductor.
For the first part of his musical career, Steffens was a solo clarinetist, and also served as principal clarinet with the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra and t ...
(2008–2013)
*
Josep Caballé Domenech
Josep Caballé Domenech (born 1973) is a Spanish musician and conductor. Caballé Domenech has recently been appointed Principal Conductor of the Moritzburg Festival Germany) and he is also in his eighth season as Music Director of the Colorado S ...
(2013–2018)
*
Ariane Matiakh
Ariane Matiakh (born 1980) is a French conductor.
Biography
The daughter of two opera singers, Matiakh obtained prizes in piano, chamber music, conducting at the ''Conservatoire à rayonnement régional de Reims'' and piano accompaniment at th ...
(2019–2020)
*
Fabrice Bollon
Fabrice Bollon (born Paris, 1965) is a French conductor and composer.
Biography
Bollon studied with Michael Gielen and Nikolaus Harnoncourt in Paris and at the Mozarteum in Salzburg. He subsequently continued his studies with Georges Prêtre an ...
(designate, effective autumn 2022)
References
External links
Official German-language homepage of the Staatskapelle Halle'Aus alter Last wird neue Lust', NMZ website
German symphony orchestras
Halle (Saale)
Musical groups established in 1852
{{Germany-band-stub