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Sir Donald Runnicles

OBE HonFRSE
Derek Williams (L), Susan Vincent, Sir Donald Runnicles at Deutsche Oper Berlin May 2024 (cropped).png
Background information
Born (1954-11-16) 16 November 1954 (age 70)
Edinburgh, Scotland
Occupation(s) conductor
Years active 1989–present

Sir Donald Cameron Runnicles, born on November 16, 1954, is a famous conductor from Scotland. A conductor is like the leader of an orchestra or opera. They guide the musicians to play together beautifully.

Sir Donald has held many important jobs. He was the Music Director for the San Francisco Opera. He also led the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra as a main guest conductor. He was the Principal Conductor for the Orchestra of St. Luke's. He also directed the Grand Teton Music Festival. From 2009 to 2016, he was the Chief Conductor of the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra.

Currently, he is the Generalmusikdirektor (which means General Music Director) of the Deutsche Oper Berlin. This is a big opera house in Germany. He is also the chief conductor of the Dresden Philharmonic orchestra.

Early Life and Training

Donald Runnicles was born in Edinburgh, Scotland. His father, William Runnicles, was a director of a furniture company. He was also a choirmaster and organist, which means he led choirs and played the organ. Donald's mother was Christine Runnicles.

Donald went to George Heriot's School in Edinburgh. Later, he moved to George Watson's College, which had special music programs. He then studied at the University of Edinburgh and St John's College, Cambridge. He also spent a year studying at the London Opera Centre.

Starting His Career

Runnicles began his career in opera in Mannheim, Germany. He worked as a coach for singers and an assistant conductor. In 1989, he became the Generalmusikdirektor for the city of Freiburg, Germany.

He spent 10 years working in Germany. He has said that this time was very important for him. He learned a lot about the music of composers like Wagner, Bruckner, and Mahler.

Sir Donald is a supporter of the Wagner Society of Scotland. This group is part of a larger international association that celebrates the music of the composer Richard Wagner.

Adelle Eslinger-Runnicles and Donald Runnicles play four handed piano in 2020
Harry Leutscher (L), President RWVI, Derek Williams - Chair Wagner Society of Scotland, Donald Runnicles in 2024.
at Deutsche Oper Berlin

Leading Orchestras and Operas

Work in the United States

In the United States, Runnicles was the Music Director and Principal Conductor of the San Francisco Opera. He held this important role from 1992 to 2009.

He was also a principal guest conductor for the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra. He worked with them from September 2001 until the end of their 2021-2022 season. From 2001 to 2007, he was the principal conductor of the Orchestra of St. Luke's. He was offered the top job as music director but chose not to take that title.

In August 2005, he was chosen to be the Music Director of the Grand Teton Music Festival. His contract there was extended several times, lasting until 2019.

Work in the United Kingdom

Runnicles first conducted the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra (BBC SSO) in 2001. In October 2007, the BBC SSO announced he would be their next Chief Conductor. He started this role in September 2009, with an initial contract for three years. This was his first main job leading a British orchestra.

In September 2011, his contract with the BBC SSO was extended until 2015. In October 2014, the orchestra announced that his time as chief conductor would end in September 2016. His last concert as their chief conductor was on August 28, 2016. He now holds the title of Conductor Emeritus for the BBC SSO, which means he is an honored former conductor.

Work in Germany

In October 2007, the Deutsche Oper Berlin announced that Runnicles would be their next Generalmusikdirektor. He started this role in August 2009, with a first contract for five years.

In December 2016, his contract with the Deutsche Oper Berlin was extended until 2022. In November 2020, it was extended again, this time through 2027. However, in September 2023, the Deutsche Oper Berlin announced that Runnicles would step down from his role at the end of the 2025–2026 season. This was one season earlier than planned, at his own request.

In December 2022, Runnicles was a guest conductor for the Dresden Philharmonic for the first time. In December 2023, the Dresden Philharmonic announced that he would be their next chief conductor. He started this role with the 2025-2026 season. He worked as the chief conductor-designate during the 2024–2025 season.

Personal Life

Sir Donald Runnicles has two daughters, Ashley and Tamara, from his first marriage to Elizabeth Prior. He also has an older daughter named Alexandra from a previous relationship. His second marriage is to Adelle Eslinger, who is a Pilates teacher from Canada.

Honours and Awards

Runnicles has received special honorary doctorates. These are degrees given to people to honor their achievements. He received them from the University of Edinburgh and the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama in February 2011.

In 2019, Runnicles was chosen as an Honorary Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh. This is a very respected group in Scotland. In 2020, he was made a knight in the 2020 Birthday Honours list. This honor was given to him for his great contributions to music.

Discography

Here are some of the musical works Sir Donald Runnicles has conducted and recorded:

See also

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