Christian Thielemann Appointed Honorary Conductor of Staatskapelle Dresden

The orchestra declined to renew Thielemann's contract as Chief Conductor beyond 2024

Conductor Christian Thielemann has given his final concert as Chief Conductor of the Staatskapelle Dresden, having first begun his work there twelve years ago. The orchestra has appointed Thielemann as its Honorary Conductor, in recognition of his service to the ensemble.

In May 2021, it was announced that the orchestra would not renew Thielemann's contract after 2024. Director Peter Theiler also left his post at that time. In his speech at the final concert, Thielemann briefly addressed Germany's Prime Minister, saying that cutting costs on culture was unsustainable.

After leaving Dresden, Thielemann did not intend to take another permanent position but has since accepted a role as the General Music Director of the Staatsoper Unter den Linden in Berlin.

Thielemann began his career in 1998 when he was appointed Music Director of the Nuremberg Staatstheater. After a successful tenure, he returned to his hometown of Berlin in 1997 to lead the Deutsche Oper until 2004. Following this, he served as the principal conductor of the Munich Philharmonic until 2011.

"I now rehearse differently than I used to," Thielemann said of the growth he experienced during his time in Dresden. "Suddenly, the things you wanted are there. And that's the nice thing about being with an orchestra like the Kapelle for a long time. You can't buy that with money."