Staatskapelle Dresden

The Dresden Staatskapelle, (1548) like its Berlin namesake, has a dual function: that of an opera orchestra as the official orchestra of the Dresden Semperoper, and that of a symphonic orchestra. The majority of his concerts take place at the Semperoper, some at the Dresden Frauenkirche (Church of Our Lady of Dresden). The orchestra's recordings usually take place at the Saint Luke Church (Lukaskirche) of the city. The Dresden Philharmonic Orchestra, established in 1870, plays it at Kulturpalast. When it was founded, the Hofkapelle (court chapel) essentially fulfilled a religious function. It is then a vocal training more than instrumental. Subsequently, its composition and missions evolve, with the development of opera in the eighteenth century. The orchestra has had eminent conductors in its history. The name of Heinrich Schütz is associated with his early years, and those of Carl Maria von Weber and Richard Wagner in the nineteenth century. With these two personalities, Dresden and his Staatskapelle play a central role in the creation of the German National Opera, at a time when the genre is dominated in Germany by Italian music. In the twentieth century, it is partly this tradition that is prolonged by the collaboration between the orchestra and Richard Strauss, both as conductor and composer. Many of his works, mostly scenic, were created by the Staatskapelle Dresden, and have since become part of the tradition of the orchestra. Karl Böhm, Rudolf Kempe and - less frequently - Herbert von Karajan, three particularly prestigious and familiar conductors of Strauss's work, also directed it during the twentieth century. Herbert Blomstedt was music director from 1975 to 1985. With him the orchestra recorded the complete nine symphonies of Ludwig van Beethoven. Giuseppe Sinopoli was the leader until his brutal death in 2001. From August 2002 to the year 2004, it was Bernard Haitink who succeeded him. Since then Fabio Luisi has been appointed Generalmusikdirektor. He officially took office in August 2007. In the meantime, Sir Colin Davis has been awarded the title of Ehrendirigent (Honorary Chief). Christian Thielemann succeeded Fabio Luisi in 2012.