Badische Staatskapelle
Encyclopedia
The Badische Staatskapelle is a symphony orchestra
based in Karlsruhe
, Germany
. The orchestra is affiliated with the Badisches Staatstheater (Baden State Theatre). The historical roots of the orchestra date back to 1662. The precursor ensemble was the Hofkapelle der Markgrafen von Baden-Durlach (Court Orchestra of the Margrave of Baden-Durlach). Early leaders of the orchestra included Giuseppe Beniventi (1712-1718), Casimir Schweizelsberger, Johann Philipp Käfer, and Johann Melchior Molter, who led the orchestra for 40 years.
In 1733, the orchestra was disbanded during the conflicts with Poland. After the orchestra was re-established in Karlsruhe, Molter reapplied as leader of the orchestra in 1743, and served in the post until his death in 1765. After Molter's death, Giacinto Sciatti became Court Kapellmeister. Joseph Aloys Schmittbaur took over the leadership of the Badische Hofkapelle following the death in 1777 of Sciatti. During that period, Christian Franz Danner served as Kapellmeister. Later, the violinist and composer Johann Evangelist Brandl shared the directorship of the ensemble with Danner, and later became sole Kapellmeister.
In the 19th century, Franz Danzi
began as Hofkapellmeister in 1812. Joseph Strauß succeeded Danzi and served in that capacity until 1863. The Bohemian composer and violinist Franz Pecháček was leader of the orchestra from 1826 to 1840. Hermann Levi
served as Hofkapellmeister from 1864. Max Zenger, briefly after Levi, and then Felix Otto Dessoff from 1875, subsequently led the ensemble. Felix Mottl succeeded Dessoff and was a particular champion of the music of Richard Wagner
.
In the 20th century, the organisation received its current name in 1933, and the title of Hofkapellmeister evolved into Generalmusikdirector (GMD). Joseph Keilberth
was the first to hold the title of GMD with the organisation, in one of his earliest conducting posts with this orchestra, from 1935 to 1940. In the years after World War II
, Otto Mazerath, Alexander Krannhals and Arthur Grüber guided the orchestra. Christof Perick
was Generalmusikdirektor (GMD) from 1977-1985. His successors have included Günther Neuhold (1989-1995) and Kazushi Ono
(1996-2002). From 2002 to 2008, Anthony Bramall was the orchestra's GMD. The British conductor Justin Brown became GMD of the orchestra in 2008.
Orchestra
An orchestra is a sizable instrumental ensemble that contains sections of string, brass, woodwind, and percussion instruments. The term orchestra derives from the Greek ορχήστρα, the name for the area in front of an ancient Greek stage reserved for the Greek chorus...
based in Karlsruhe
Karlsruhe
The City of Karlsruhe is a city in the southwest of Germany, in the state of Baden-Württemberg, located near the French-German border.Karlsruhe was founded in 1715 as Karlsruhe Palace, when Germany was a series of principalities and city states...
, Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
. The orchestra is affiliated with the Badisches Staatstheater (Baden State Theatre). The historical roots of the orchestra date back to 1662. The precursor ensemble was the Hofkapelle der Markgrafen von Baden-Durlach (Court Orchestra of the Margrave of Baden-Durlach). Early leaders of the orchestra included Giuseppe Beniventi (1712-1718), Casimir Schweizelsberger, Johann Philipp Käfer, and Johann Melchior Molter, who led the orchestra for 40 years.
In 1733, the orchestra was disbanded during the conflicts with Poland. After the orchestra was re-established in Karlsruhe, Molter reapplied as leader of the orchestra in 1743, and served in the post until his death in 1765. After Molter's death, Giacinto Sciatti became Court Kapellmeister. Joseph Aloys Schmittbaur took over the leadership of the Badische Hofkapelle following the death in 1777 of Sciatti. During that period, Christian Franz Danner served as Kapellmeister. Later, the violinist and composer Johann Evangelist Brandl shared the directorship of the ensemble with Danner, and later became sole Kapellmeister.
In the 19th century, Franz Danzi
Franz Danzi
Franz Ignaz Danzi was a German cellist, composer and conductor, the son of the noted Italian cellist Innocenz Danzi. Born in Schwetzingen, Franz Danzi worked in Mannheim, Munich, Stuttgart and Karlsruhe, where he died....
began as Hofkapellmeister in 1812. Joseph Strauß succeeded Danzi and served in that capacity until 1863. The Bohemian composer and violinist Franz Pecháček was leader of the orchestra from 1826 to 1840. Hermann Levi
Hermann Levi
Hermann Levi was a German Jewish orchestral conductor.Levi was born in Gießen, Germany, the son of a rabbi. He was educated at Gießen and Mannheim, and came to Vinzenz Lachner's notice...
served as Hofkapellmeister from 1864. Max Zenger, briefly after Levi, and then Felix Otto Dessoff from 1875, subsequently led the ensemble. Felix Mottl succeeded Dessoff and was a particular champion of the music of Richard Wagner
Richard Wagner
Wilhelm Richard Wagner was a German composer, conductor, theatre director, philosopher, music theorist, poet, essayist and writer primarily known for his operas...
.
In the 20th century, the organisation received its current name in 1933, and the title of Hofkapellmeister evolved into Generalmusikdirector (GMD). Joseph Keilberth
Joseph Keilberth
Joseph Keilberth was a German conductor who specialized in opera.He started his career in the State Theatre of his native city, Karlsruhe. In 1940 he became director of the German Philharmonic Orchestra of Prague. Near the end of World War II he became principal conductor of the Dresden...
was the first to hold the title of GMD with the organisation, in one of his earliest conducting posts with this orchestra, from 1935 to 1940. In the years after World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, Otto Mazerath, Alexander Krannhals and Arthur Grüber guided the orchestra. Christof Perick
Christof Perick
Christof Prick , who uses the name Christof Perick in English-speaking countries, is a German orchestra conductor. His father was the concertmaster of the Hamburg Philharmonic.Perick's conducting posts include:...
was Generalmusikdirektor (GMD) from 1977-1985. His successors have included Günther Neuhold (1989-1995) and Kazushi Ono
Kazushi Ono
is a Japanese conductor, born in Tokyo. He studied at the Tokyo National University of Fine Arts and Music, and with Wolfgang Sawallisch and Giuseppe Patanè at the Bavarian State Opera , as a scholar of the Japanese Ministry of Culture. In 1987 he won First Prize in the 3rd Toscanini International...
(1996-2002). From 2002 to 2008, Anthony Bramall was the orchestra's GMD. The British conductor Justin Brown became GMD of the orchestra in 2008.
Hofkapellmeister
- Michael Balling (1904-1907)
- Georg Göhler (1907-1909)
- Leopold Reichwein (1909-1913)
- Fritz Cortolezis (1913-1925)
- Josef KripsJosef KripsJosef Alois Krips was an Austrian conductor and violinist.-Biography:Krips was born in Vienna and went on to become a pupil of Eusebius Mandyczewski and Felix Weingartner. From 1921 to 1924, he served as Weingartner's assistant at the Vienna Volksoper and as répétiteur and chorus master...
(1926-1933) - Klaus Nettstraetter (1933-1935)
Generalmusikdirektoren (General Music Directors, GMD)
- Joseph KeilberthJoseph KeilberthJoseph Keilberth was a German conductor who specialized in opera.He started his career in the State Theatre of his native city, Karlsruhe. In 1940 he became director of the German Philharmonic Orchestra of Prague. Near the end of World War II he became principal conductor of the Dresden...
(1935-1940) - Otto Matzerath (1940-1955)
- Alexander Krannhals (1955-1961)
- Arthur Grüber (1962-1976)
- Christof PerickChristof PerickChristof Prick , who uses the name Christof Perick in English-speaking countries, is a German orchestra conductor. His father was the concertmaster of the Hamburg Philharmonic.Perick's conducting posts include:...
(1977-1985) - José Maria Collado (1985-1987)
- Günter NeuholdGünter NeuholdGünter Neuhold is an Austrian conductor. He attended the Universität für Musik und darstellende Kunst Graz and graduated in 1968 with a master's degree. He later studied conducting with Franco Ferrara in Rome and with Hans Swarowsky in Vienna.At the Dortmund, Neuhold served as first conductor...
(1989-1995) - Kazushi OnoKazushi Onois a Japanese conductor, born in Tokyo. He studied at the Tokyo National University of Fine Arts and Music, and with Wolfgang Sawallisch and Giuseppe Patanè at the Bavarian State Opera , as a scholar of the Japanese Ministry of Culture. In 1987 he won First Prize in the 3rd Toscanini International...
(1996-2002) - Anthony Bramall (2002-2008)
- Justin Brown (2008-present)