Orchestre national du Capitole de Toulouse
Encyclopedia
The Orchestre national du Capitole de Toulouse is a French orchestra
based in Toulouse
. It acts as both a symphony orchestra whose main residence is Toulouse's Halle aux Grains, and the permanent orchestra of the Théâtre du Capitole in Toulouse.
Initially with the name Orchestre du Capitole de Toulouse, past music directors of the orchestra have included André Cluytens
(beginning in 1932) and Georges Prêtre
(1951-1955). The Orchestre du Capitole rose to prominence during Michel Plasson
's tenure as music director, from 1968 to 2003.
In 1974, Plasson chose the Halle aux Grains, a former market converted into an arena, to become the orchestra's residence. Until then, the orchestra was not used to giving concerts but was instead confined to the Capitole's pit, and had a very low reputation. Within twelve years, the orchestra had improved enough to qualify to have the term "national" in its name, which it acquired in 1980.
Plasson's flamboyant personality, his insistence on playing and recording the French repertoire, especially rarely played pieces, and his record deal with EMI
, combined to make the orchestra the "reference" French orchestra, the most visible and most visibly French, with approximately one hundred records released. Natalie Dessay
made her debut with the Capitole and still performs regularly with the orchestra.
On May 9, 2003, Plasson announced his decision not to renew his contract after August 31, 2003. He complained that planned works in the Halle aux Grains would impair the 2003-2004 concert season. Unofficially, his departure was caused by the city's refusal to increase the orchestra's payroll. In 2004, Plasson was made "honorary conductor" of the orchestra.
In 2005, the city named Tugan Sokhiev
principal guest conductor and musical adviser of the orchestra. Sokhiev became the orchestra's music director in September 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 Toulouse
Toulouse
Toulouse is a city in the Haute-Garonne department in southwestern FranceIt lies on the banks of the River Garonne, 590 km away from Paris and half-way between the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea...
. It acts as both a symphony orchestra whose main residence is Toulouse's Halle aux Grains, and the permanent orchestra of the Théâtre du Capitole in Toulouse.
Initially with the name Orchestre du Capitole de Toulouse, past music directors of the orchestra have included André Cluytens
André Cluytens
André Cluytens was a Belgian-born French conductor who was active in the concert hall, opera house and recording studio. His repertoire extended from Viennese classics through French composers to 20th century works...
(beginning in 1932) and Georges Prêtre
Georges Prêtre
- Biography :He was born in Waziers , and attended the Douai Conservatory and then studied harmony under Maurice Duruflé and conducting under André Cluytens among others at the Conservatoire de Paris. Amongst his early musical interests were jazz and trumpet. After graduating, he conducted in a...
(1951-1955). The Orchestre du Capitole rose to prominence during Michel Plasson
Michel Plasson
Michel Plasson is a French conductor.Plasson was a student of Lazare Lévy at the Conservatoire de Paris. In 1962, he was a prize-winner at the International Besançon Competition for Young Conductors. He studied briefly in the United States, including time with Charles Münch...
's tenure as music director, from 1968 to 2003.
In 1974, Plasson chose the Halle aux Grains, a former market converted into an arena, to become the orchestra's residence. Until then, the orchestra was not used to giving concerts but was instead confined to the Capitole's pit, and had a very low reputation. Within twelve years, the orchestra had improved enough to qualify to have the term "national" in its name, which it acquired in 1980.
Plasson's flamboyant personality, his insistence on playing and recording the French repertoire, especially rarely played pieces, and his record deal with EMI
EMI
The EMI Group, also known as EMI Music or simply EMI, is a multinational music company headquartered in London, United Kingdom. It is the fourth-largest business group and family of record labels in the recording industry and one of the "big four" record companies. EMI Group also has a major...
, combined to make the orchestra the "reference" French orchestra, the most visible and most visibly French, with approximately one hundred records released. Natalie Dessay
Natalie Dessay
Natalie Dessay is a French coloratura soprano. She dropped the silent "h" in her first name in honor of Natalie Wood when she was in grade school and subsequently simplified the spelling of her surname outside France...
made her debut with the Capitole and still performs regularly with the orchestra.
On May 9, 2003, Plasson announced his decision not to renew his contract after August 31, 2003. He complained that planned works in the Halle aux Grains would impair the 2003-2004 concert season. Unofficially, his departure was caused by the city's refusal to increase the orchestra's payroll. In 2004, Plasson was made "honorary conductor" of the orchestra.
In 2005, the city named Tugan Sokhiev
Tugan Sokhiev
Tugan Taymourazovitch Sokhiev is an Ossetian conductor.Sokhiev began piano studies at age 7. He began to conduct at age 17, inspired by Anatoly Briskin, the conductor of the North Ossetia State Philharmonic Orchestra. He subsequently attended the Saint Petersburg Conservatory and was a pupil of...
principal guest conductor and musical adviser of the orchestra. Sokhiev became the orchestra's music director in September 2008.