Donald Runnicles

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Donald Runnicles (born November 16, 1954 in Edinburgh, Scotland) is a Scottish conductor. He attended the University of Cambridge. He began his operatic career as a singers' coach in Mannheim, Germany. He became Generalmusikdirektor of the city of Freiburg, Germany in 1989.

Runnicles has been Music Director and Principal Conductor of the San Francisco Opera since 1992. His prior contract renewal was in November 2004.[1] In September 2006, he and the company mutually agreed that he would relinquish his post after the 2008-2009 season, but would continue to work with the company as a guest conductor.[2] [3]

Runnicles has served as Prinicipal Guest Conductor of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra since September 2001, and his current contract there runs through 2009.[4] In March 2008, the orchestra and Runnicles announced the extension of his contract as principal guest conductor through the 2010-2011 season, after which he is scheduled to relinquish the title.[5] From 2001 to 2007, he was also Principal Conductor of the Orchestra of St. Luke's. He became Music Director of the Grand Teton Music Festival in September 2005, having been appointed that August.[6] His current Grand Teton contract is through 2011.[7]

In October 2007, the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra announced that Runnicles will become their next Chief Conductor in September 2009, for an initial contract of 3 years.[8] Later the same month, the Deutsche Oper Berlin announced the appointment of Runnicles as their next Generalmusikdirektor, effective August 2009, for an initial contract of 5 years.[9]

Runnicles and his wife have three daughters, Alexandra, Ashley and Tamara.[10] [11]

[edit] References

  1. ^ Ben Mattison. "San Francisco Opera Music Director Donald Runnicles Extends His Tenure", Playbill Arts, 16 November 2004. Retrieved on 2007-12-21. 
  2. ^ Matthew Westphal. "Donald Runnicles's Contract at San Francisco Opera Will Not Be Renewed", Playbill Arts, 18 September 2006. Retrieved on 2007-12-21. 
  3. ^ Joshua Kosman. "Runnicles won't renew contract with S.F. Opera", San Francisco Chronicle, 16 Sep 2006. Retrieved on 2007-10-03. 
  4. ^ Ben Mattison. "Atlanta Symphony Extends Contracts of Spano and Runnicles", Playbill Arts, 21 September 2005. Retrieved on 2007-12-23. 
  5. ^ "Musical director, principal guest conductor of Atlanta Symphony Orchestra renew contracts", The Associated Press, 18 March 2008. Retrieved on 2008-03-19. 
  6. ^ Emily Quinn. "Donald Runnicles Named Next Music Director of Grand Teton Music Festival", Playbill Arts, 29 August 2005. Retrieved on 2007-12-23. 
  7. ^ Joshua Kosman. "Opera's Runnicles to lead BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra", San Francisco Chronicle, 2 October 2007. Retrieved on 2007-11-20. 
  8. ^ Tim Cornwell. "Conductor back after 18 years to lead BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra", The Scotsman, 2 October 2007. Retrieved on 2007-10-03. 
  9. ^ Matthew Westphal. "In Sudden Appointment, Donald Runnicles Named Next Music Director of Deutsche Oper Berlin", Playbill Arts, 31 October 2007. Retrieved on 2007-11-01. 
  10. ^ Frederik Hanssen. "Der neue Maestro", Der Tagesspiegel, 1 November 2007. Retrieved on 2007-11-03. 
  11. ^ Michael Tumelty. "Now he’s conducting electricity", The Herald, 4 October 2007. Retrieved on 2007-11-20. 

[edit] External links

Preceded by
Sir John Pritchard		 Music Director, San Francisco Opera
1992–present		 Succeeded by
incumbent
Preceded by
Sir Charles Mackerras		 Principal Conductor, Orchestra of St. Luke's
2001–		 Succeeded by
incumbent
Preceded by
Eiji Oue		 Music Director, Grand Teton Music Festival
2005–		 Succeeded by
incumbent
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