Donald Runnicles

Sir Donald Runnicles
OBE HonFRSE
Background information
Born (1954-11-16) 16 November 1954 (age 69)
Edinburgh, Scotland
Occupationconductor
Years active1989–present
Websitedonaldrunnicles.org

Sir Donald Cameron Runnicles (born 16 November 1954) is a Scottish conductor, known for his Romantic symphonic and operatic repertoire, especially Richard Wagner, Gustav Mahler, Richard Strauss and Anton Bruckner. With a career that has spanned the USA, Germany and his native Scotland, Runnicles has served as Music Director of the San Francisco Opera, Principal Guest Conductor of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, Principal Conductor of the Orchestra of St. Luke's, Music Director of the Grand Teton Music Festival, Generalmusikdirektor of Deutsche Oper Berlin and as Chief Conductor of the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra. He is scheduled to serve as chief conductor-designate for the 2024–2025 season of the Dresden Philharmonic.

Life and career

Born in Edinburgh, Scotland, Donald Runnicles is the son of William Runnicles, a director of a furniture supply company and a choirmaster and organist, and Christine Runnicles.[1] He began his education at George Heriot's School in Edinburgh, moving later to George Watson's College, which offered a specialised music education facility, followed by the University of Edinburgh and St John's College, Cambridge. He studied for a year at the London Opera Centre.

Runnicles began his operatic career as a singers' coach and assistant conductor in Mannheim, Germany.[2] He became Generalmusikdirektor of the city of Freiburg, Germany in 1989. Referring to the 10 years he spent in Germany, Runnicles has said

"I have to breathe this air, this Wagnerian air. It was life-changing and that love affair with Wagner led to what was influenced by him: the Bruckner, the Mahler."[3]

Runnicles is Patron of the Wagner Society of Scotland,[4] a member of the International Association of Wagner Societies.[5] On 24 August 2024, the day after his Bruckner-Mahler concert at the Usher Hall during the Edinburgh International Festival conducting the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, with baritone Thomas Lehman,[6][7] Runnicles and Lehman presented a live performance and interview for the Society at the Runnicles family's parish, Greenbank Parish Church.[8][9]

Adelle Eslinger-Runnicles and Donald Runnicles play four handed piano in 2020
Harry Leutscher (L), President RWVI,[10] Derek Williams - Chair Wagner Society of Scotland,[5] Donald Runnicles in 2024.[11]
at Deutsche Oper Berlin

In the US, Runnicles served as Music Director and Principal Conductor of the San Francisco Opera from 1992 to 2009.[12][13][14] Runnicles was principal guest conductor of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra from September 2001 through the 2021-2022 season.[15][16][17] From 2001 to 2007, he was principal conductor of the Orchestra of St. Luke's. Runnicles had been offered the title of music director of the Orchestra of St. Luke's, but he declined the title.[18] He became Music Director of the Grand Teton Music Festival in September 2005, having been appointed that August.[19] His Grand Teton contract was extended through 2011,[20] and subsequently to 2019.[21]

Runnicles first conducted the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra (BBC SSO) in 2001.[1] In October 2007, the BBC SSO announced the appointment of Runnicles as their next Chief Conductor in September 2009, for an initial contract of three years.[22][23] The BBC SSO appointment marked Runnicles' first principal post with a British orchestra.[24] In September 2011, the BBC SSO extended his contract as chief conductor through 2015.[25] In October 2014, the orchestra reported the scheduled conclusion of Runnicles' tenure as chief conductor in September 2016.[26] His final concert as the BBC SSO's chief conductor was on 28 August 2016,[27] and he now has the title of Conductor Emeritus of the BBC SSO.

In October 2007, the Deutsche Oper Berlin announced the appointment of Runnicles as their next Generalmusikdirektor, effective August 2009, for an initial contract of five years.[28] In December 2016, the company announced the newest extension of Runnicles' contract with the Deutsche Oper Berlin until 2022.[29] In November 2020, the Deutsche Oper Berlin announced the most recent extension of Runnicles' contract as its GMD, through 2027.[30] In September 2023, the Deutsche Oper Berlin announced that Runnicles is to stand down as its GMD at the close of the 2025–2026 season, one season earlier than the most recent contract extension, at Runnicles' own request.[31] From 11 May to 2 June 2024, Runnicles conducted the full season of the Richard Wagner Tetralogy, Der Ring des Nibelungen at Deutsche Oper.[11][32]

In December 2022, Runnicles first guest-conducted the Dresden Philharmonic. In December 2023, the Dresden Philharmonic announced the appointment of Runnicles as its next chief conductor, effective with the 2025-2026 season. He is scheduled to serve as chief conductor-designate for the 2024–2025 season.[33]

Runnicles has two daughters, Ashley and Tamara,[2][34] from his previous marriage to South African violist Elizabeth Prior,[35] as well as an older daughter, Alexandra, from a previous relationship. His second marriage is to the Canadian Pilates teacher Adelle Eslinger.[36]

Honours and awards

Runnicles holds honorary doctorates from the University of Edinburgh and the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama (conferred in February 2011).[37] In 2019, Runnicles was elected an Honorary Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh.[38] Runnicles was knighted in the 2020 Birthday Honours for services to music.[39][40]

Discography

References

  1. ^ a b Tim Cornwell (10 October 2009). "Interview: Donald Runnicles – Conducting electricity". The Scotsman. Archived from the original on 2 February 2013. Retrieved 1 October 2011.
  2. ^ a b Stephen Moss (11 December 2002). "Remember my name". The Guardian. Retrieved 14 September 2008.
  3. ^ BBC Radio 3's Performance on 3, 26 January 2010
  4. ^ "The Wagner Society of Scotland". Retrieved 3 June 2024.
  5. ^ a b Members > Scotland. International Association of Wagner Societies.
  6. ^ 'BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra & Sir Donald Runnicles'. BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra. 23 August 2024. Usher Hall. Edinburgh, Scotland.
  7. ^ 'Thomas Lehman baritone'. thomaslehmanbaritone.com official website.
  8. ^ ‘Wagner Society of Scotland & Sir Donald Runicles: Live Festival event and a chance to join friendly society’. 19 July 2024. The Newsroom. The Scotsman.
  9. ^ Bannatyne-Scott, Brian. (25 August 2024). 'BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra: Mahler and Bruckner'. Edinburgh Music Review.
  10. ^ Presidium 2024-29. International Association of Wagner Societies.
  11. ^ a b Der Ring des Nibelungen, 2024, Deutsche Oper Berlin.
  12. ^ Ben Mattison (16 November 2004). "San Francisco Opera Music Director Donald Runnicles Extends His Tenure". Playbill Arts. Retrieved 21 December 2007.
  13. ^ Matthew Westphal (18 September 2006). "Donald Runnicles's Contract at San Francisco Opera Will Not Be Renewed". Playbill Arts. Retrieved 21 December 2007.
  14. ^ Joshua Kosman (16 September 2006). "Runnicles won't renew contract with S.F. Opera". San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved 3 October 2007.
  15. ^ Ben Mattison (21 September 2005). "Atlanta Symphony Extends Contracts of Spano and Runnicles". Playbill Arts. Retrieved 23 December 2007.
  16. ^ Rosalind Bentley (18 January 2012). "Runnicles extends ASO contract". Access Atlanta. Archived from the original on 21 January 2012. Retrieved 19 January 2012.
  17. ^ Taylor Grant (23 March 2022). "Atlanta Symphony's 2022-23 Season: Stutzmann's First, Runnicles's Last" (PDF). Musical American. Retrieved 24 December 2023.
  18. ^ Allan Kozinn (3 February 2002). "A Courtship of Conductor and Orchestra". The New York Times. Retrieved 25 December 2011.
  19. ^ Emily Quinn (29 August 2005). "Donald Runnicles Named Next Music Director of Grand Teton Music Festival". Playbill Arts. Retrieved 23 December 2007.
  20. ^ Joshua Kosman (2 October 2007). "Opera's Runnicles to lead BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra". San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved 20 November 2007.
  21. ^ "Maestro Runnicles Renews Grand Teton Music Festival Contract Through 2019" (Press release). 9 July 2014. Archived from the original on 25 October 2014. Retrieved 25 October 2014.
  22. ^ Tim Cornwell, "Conductor back after 18 years to lead BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra". The Scotsman, 2 October 2007.
  23. ^ Matthew Westphal (1 October 2007). "Homecoming: Donald Runnicles to Succeed Ilan Volkov at BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra". Playbill Arts. Retrieved 14 September 2008.
  24. ^ Kenneth Walton (6 May 2009). "Donald Runnicles interview: The return of the prodigal son". The Scotsman. Retrieved 22 September 2009.
  25. ^ "Donald Runnicles extends his contract with the BBC SSO" (Press release). BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra. September 2011. Retrieved 1 October 2011.
  26. ^ "Donald Runnicles to become BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra's Conductor Emeritus" (Press release). BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra. 22 October 2014. Retrieved 25 October 2014.
  27. ^ Kate Molleson (29 August 2016). "Gurrelieder review – almighty blast of Schoenberg rounds off festival". The Guardian. Retrieved 3 October 2016.
  28. ^ Matthew Westphal (31 October 2007). "In Sudden Appointment, Donald Runnicles Named Next Music Director of Deutsche Oper Berlin". Playbill Arts. Archived from the original on 1 November 2007. Retrieved 1 November 2007.
  29. ^ "Vertragsverlängerung mit Donald Runnicles" (Press release). Deutsche Oper Berlin. 7 December 2016. Archived from the original on 20 December 2016. Retrieved 13 December 2016.
  30. ^ "Vertragsverlängerungen der Leitungsspitze der Deutschen Oper Berlin" (Press release). Deutsche Oper Berlin. 2 November 2020. Retrieved 3 November 2020.
  31. ^ "Sir Donald Runnicles verlässt die Deutsche Oper Berlin bereits 2026" (Press release). Deutsche Oper Berlin. 1 September 2023. Retrieved 12 September 2023.
  32. ^ Cooper, Tony. (30 May 2024). 'Deutsche Oper Berlin 2024 Review: Der Ring des Nibelungen'. OperaWire.
  33. ^ "Sir Donald Runnicles soll Chefdirigent der Dresdner Philharmonie werden" (Press release). Stadt Dresden. 20 December 2023. Retrieved 24 December 2023.
  34. ^ Frederik Hanssen (1 November 2007). "Die Stimme eines Herrn". Der Tagesspiegel. Retrieved 3 November 2007.
  35. ^ "Conductor returns to the source". The Times, 1 March 2009.
  36. ^ James Ehnes (27 September 2017). "Violinist James Ehnes on the Majestic Sights & Musical Moments at the Grand Teton Music Festival". Strings Magazine. Retrieved 12 October 2020.
  37. ^ Bell, Katie (31 January 2011). "Distinguished conductor to receive honorary doctorate at The RSAMD". AllmediaScotland.com. Retrieved 23 April 2023.
  38. ^ "Dr Donald Cameron Runnicles OBE HonFRSE". The Royal Society of Edinburgh. 15 March 2019. Retrieved 15 March 2019.
  39. ^ "No. 63135". The London Gazette (Supplement). 10 October 2020. p. B2.
  40. ^ "Birthday 2020 Diplomatic Service and Overseas List" (PDF) (Press release). Government of the United Kingdom. 9 October 2020. Retrieved 12 October 2020.
  41. ^ "Gluck Orphée et Eurydice Berlioz version: Larmore, Upshaw, Hagley, Runnicles". Donald Runnicles. 4 June 1996. Retrieved 30 August 2017.
  42. ^ "PUCCINI, G. : Turandot (San Francisco Opera, 1994) (NTSC) - 100089". Naxos Records. Retrieved 30 August 2017.
  43. ^ Pasles, Chris (15 December 1993). "TV REVIEWS: Kiri Te Kanawa in Strauss' 'Capriccio'". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 30 August 2017.
Cultural offices
Preceded by Music Director, San Francisco Opera
1992–2009 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Principal Conductor, Orchestra of St. Luke's
2001–2007 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Music Director, Grand Teton Music Festival
2005–present 		Succeeded by
incumbent
Preceded by
Renato Palumbo
 Generalmusikdirektor, Deutsche Oper Berlin
2009–present 		Succeeded by
incumbent
Preceded by Chief Conductor, BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra
2009–2016 		Succeeded by