Manfred Honeck

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Manfred Honeck (b. 17 September 1958) is an Austrian conductor, the son of Otto and Frieda Honeck, from a family of nine children.[1][2] As a youth, he studied violin. He attended the Academy of Music in Vienna, and later played the viola. He was later a musician in the Vienna Philharmonic and the Vienna State Opera Orchestra. His early work as a conductor was with the Jeunesse Orchestra in Vienna and as assistant to Claudio Abbado with the Gustav Mahler Jugendorchester (Youth Orchestra).

From 1991 to 1996, Honeck conducted regularly at the Zurich Opera House. From 1997-1998, he was Music Director of the Norwegian National Opera in Oslo. He also held a regular position from 1996 to 1999 with the MDR Symphony Orchestra Leipzig. In 1998, he was named the Principal Guest Conductor of the Oslo Philharmonic. From 2000 to 2006, Honeck was Music Director of the Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra. Honeck becomes the Music Director of the Staatsoper Stuttgart with the 2007-2008 season. His initial contract in Stuttgart is for four years.[3]

In May 2006, in the US, Honeck made an acclaimed appearance with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra (PSO).[4] In November 2006, he returned to Pittsburgh to conduct the PSO in another concert that received strongly positive reviews.[5] This press coverage led to speculation that the PSO was considering Honeck for a more permanent position with the PSO, after the scheduled departure of Sir Andrew Davis from his position as artistic adviser in 2008.[6][7] This speculation came to fruition on 24 January 2007 with a press release announcing Honeck's appointment as the PSO's next music director.[8] The appointment is effective beginning with the 2008-2009 season[9] [10]

Honeck lives in the village of Altach, Vorarlberg, Austria with his wife Christiane and their six children.[11]

[edit] References

  1. ^ Jürgen Schenkenbach. "Höhenflug im Motzartjahr" (.PDF), Vorarlberg Week, 13 Jan 2006. Retrieved on 2007-08-07. (German) 
  2. ^ Andrew Druckenbrod. "An illuminating visit with the new PSO conductor, at home in western Austria", Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, 8 April 2007. Retrieved on 2007-08-07. 
  3. ^ Ben Mattison. "Conductor Manfred Honeck to Lead Stuttgart Opera", Playbill Arts, 29 November 2005. Retrieved on 2007-09-01. 
  4. ^ Andrew Druckebrod. "Honeck makes strong debut with PSO", Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, 13 May 2006. Retrieved on 2007-08-07. 
  5. ^ Andrew Druckebrod. "PSO conductor brings New World of sound", Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, 25 Nov 2006. Retrieved on 2007-08-04. 
  6. ^ Andrew Druckenbrod. "No pressure: PSO guest conductor has patience both on and off the podium", Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, 25 Nov 2006. Retrieved on 2007-08-07. 
  7. ^ Mark Kanny. "Symphony must use right criteria for leadership decisions", Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, 17 Dec 2006. Retrieved on 2007-08-07. 
  8. ^ Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra (24 Jan 2007). "Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra Announces New Music Director Manfred Honeck". Press release. Retrieved on 2007-08-07.
  9. ^ Daniel J. Wakin. "In Pittsburgh, a Music Director to Replace Three Conductors", New York Times, 24 Jan 2007. Retrieved on 2007-08-07. 
  10. ^ Mark Kanny. "Honeck's selection will profit the symphony", Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, 27 Jan 2007. Retrieved on 2007-08-07. 
  11. ^ Andrew Druckenbrod. "City opens arms to PSO's new music director from Austria", Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, 25 Jan 2007. Retrieved on 2007-08-07. 

[edit] External links

Preceded by
Evgeny Svetlanov		 Principal Conductor, Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra
2000-2006		 Succeeded by
Daniel Harding