Weimar Staatskapelle
Founded in 1491, the Staatskapelle Weimar is one of the oldest orchestras in the world, its reputation inextricably linked to some of the greatest works and musicians of all time. Franz Liszt, court music director in the mid-nineteenth century, helped the orchestra gain international recognition with premières that included Wagner’s Lohengrin in 1850. As Weimar’s second music director, Richard Strauss conducted first performances of Guntram and Humperdinck’s Hänsel und Gretel. The orchestra was also the first to perform Strauss’s Don Juan, Macbeth and Death and Transfiguration. After World War II Hermann Abendroth did much to restore the orchestra’s former status and quality, ultimately establishing it as one of Germany’s leading orchestras. The Staatskapelle Weimar cultivates its historic tradition today, while exploring innovative techniques and wider repertoire, as reflected in its many recordings. The orchestra regularly collaborates with world-renowned soloists and conductors, and, in addition to international concert-tours, continues to cultivate the great operatic tradition in Weimar, especially of the late Romantic period. The young but already internationally renowned Swedish conductor Stefan Solyom was appointed general music director and chief conductor of the Staatskapelle in August 2009.
 Staatskapelle Weimar, conducted by Michael Halász  Photo by Lutz Edelhoff  Photo by Lutz Edelhoff |
