In Tuesday’s (7/9) Sydney Morning Herald (Australia), Harriet Cunningham profiles David Robertson, who “officially takes over from Vladimir Ashkenazy on January 1 next year” as chief conductor of the Sydney Symphony, “but has been working on programming with the orchestra since the announcement of his appointment in May last year. When the orchestra’s 2014 season is announced next month, it will be Robertson’s choice of repertoire, guest artists and new projects. … His job this week is to conduct Verdi’s Requiem, followed next week with a concert performance of Wagner’s early opera The Flying Dutchman with American baritone Eric Owens in the title role. He does, however, hint at an adventurous approach to programming that takes inspiration from Sydney’s unique character in terms of musicians, audiences and surroundings. … ‘The thing about orchestras is that each one is a collection of individual artists. Every one has similar difficulties but the solutions tend to be site-specific.’ Robertson comes to Sydney much in demand. He continues as chief conductor of the St Louis Symphony and has just finished as principal guest conductor at the BBC Symphony Orchestra. … So what, in particular, brings him to Sydney? ‘The orchestra is extremely generous and very ambitious,’ he says.”
Posted July 9, 2013
