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Donald Runnicles

{{Short description|Scottish conductor, born 1954}}

{{EngvarB|date=September 2014}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2014}}

{{Infobox musical artist

| background=non_performing_personnel

| name = Sir Donald Runnicles

| honorific_prefix =

| honorific_suffix = {{post-nominals|country=UK|size=100|OBE|HonFRSE}}

| image = Derek Williams (L), Susan Vincent, Sir Donald Runnicles at Deutsche Oper Berlin May 2024 (cropped).png

| image_size = 150px

| caption =

| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1954|11|16|df=y}}

| birth_place = Edinburgh, Scotland

| death_date =

| death_place =

| occupation = conductor

| spouse =

| children =

| website = {{URL|donaldrunnicles.org/}}

| years_active = 1989–present

| label =

}}

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.

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.{{cite news | author=Tim Cornwell | title=Interview: Donald Runnicles – Conducting electricity | url=http://news.scotsman.com/interviews/Interview-Donald-Runnicles--Conducting.5721507.jp | archive-url=https://archive.today/20130202024144/http://news.scotsman.com/interviews/Interview-Donald-Runnicles--Conducting.5721507.jp | url-status=dead | archive-date=2 February 2013 | work=The Scotsman | date=10 October 2009 | access-date=1 October 2011}} 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.{{cite news | author=Stephen Moss | title=Remember my name | url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2002/dec/11/classicalmusicandopera.artsfeatures | work=The Guardian | date=11 December 2002 | access-date=14 September 2008}} 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."BBC Radio 3's [https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00q90fl Performance on 3], 26 January 2010

Runnicles is Patron of the Wagner Society of Scotland,{{Cite web |title=The Wagner Society of Scotland |url=https://wagnerscotland.net/ |access-date=3 June 2024 |language=en}} a member of the International Association of Wagner Societies.[https://www.richard-wagner.org/rwvi/en/about-us/our-members/?member_filter=51&society_id=138 Members > Scotland]. International Association of Wagner Societies. 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,[https://www.usherhall.co.uk/whats-on/bbc-scottish-symphony-orchestra-sir-donald-runnicles 'BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra & Sir Donald Runnicles']. BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra. 23 August 2024. Usher Hall. Edinburgh, Scotland.[https://www.thomaslehmanbaritone.com/ 'Thomas Lehman baritone']. thomaslehmanbaritone.com official website. Runnicles and Lehman presented a live performance and interview for the Society at the Runnicles family's parish, Greenbank Parish Church.[https://www.scotsman.com/must-read/wagner-society-of-scotland-sir-donald-runicles-live-festival-event-and-a-chance-to-join-friendly-society-4708760 ‘Wagner Society of Scotland & Sir Donald Runicles: Live Festival event and a chance to join friendly society’]. 19 July 2024. The Newsroom. The Scotsman.Bannatyne-Scott, Brian. (25 August 2024). [https://www.edinburghmusicreview.com/reviews/rlde0o6mnuy7vtqmdvjrzi685j9qwx?rq=runnicles 'BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra: Mahler and Bruckner']. Edinburgh Music Review.

{{multiple image|perrow = 2|total_width=400

| image1 = Adelle Eslinger-Runnicles and Donald Runnicles at the Deutsche Oper Berlin.jpg

| caption1 = Adelle Eslinger-Runnicles and Donald Runnicles play four handed piano in 2020

| image2 = Harry Leutscher (L), Derek Williams, Sir Donald Runnicles (zoomed & cropped).png

| caption2 =Harry Leutscher (L), President RWVI,[https://www.richard-wagner.org/rwvi/en/about-us/committee/ Presidium 2024-29]. International Association of Wagner Societies. Derek Williams - Chair Wagner Society of Scotland, Donald Runnicles in 2024.[https://deutscheoperberlin.de/en_EN/home-ring Der Ring des Nibelungen], 2024, Deutsche Oper Berlin.

| footer_align=center

| footer = at Deutsche Oper Berlin

}}

In the US, Runnicles served as Music Director and Principal Conductor of the San Francisco Opera from 1992 to 2009.{{cite news | author=Ben Mattison | title=San Francisco Opera Music Director Donald Runnicles Extends His Tenure | url=http://www.playbillarts.com/news/article/770.html | work=Playbill Arts | date=16 November 2004 | access-date=21 December 2007}}{{cite news | author=Matthew Westphal | title=Donald Runnicles's Contract at San Francisco Opera Will Not Be Renewed | url=http://www.playbillarts.com/news/article/5236.html | work=Playbill Arts | date=18 September 2006 | access-date=21 December 2007}}{{cite news | author=Joshua Kosman | title=Runnicles won't renew contract with S.F. Opera | url=http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2006/09/16/DDGJOL63271.DTL | work=San Francisco Chronicle | date=16 September 2006 | access-date=3 October 2007}} Runnicles was principal guest conductor of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra from September 2001 through the 2021-2022 season.{{cite news | author=Ben Mattison | title=Atlanta Symphony Extends Contracts of Spano and Runnicles | url=http://www.playbillarts.com/news/article/2909.html | work=Playbill Arts | date=21 September 2005 | access-date=23 December 2007}}{{cite news | author=Rosalind Bentley | title=Runnicles extends ASO contract | url=http://www.accessatlanta.com/atlanta-music/runnicles-extends-aso-contract-1307170.html | work=Access Atlanta | date=18 January 2012 | access-date=19 January 2012 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120121051945/http://www.accessatlanta.com/atlanta-music/runnicles-extends-aso-contract-1307170.html | archive-date=21 January 2012 | df=dmy-all }}{{cite news | url=https://www.aso.org/assets/doc/ASO-MusicalAmerica-03252022-a1852ea4cb.pdf | title=Atlanta Symphony's 2022-23 Season: Stutzmann's First, Runnicles's Last | work=Musical American | author=Taylor Grant | date=2022-03-23 | access-date=2023-12-24}} 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.{{cite news | author=Allan Kozinn | title=A Courtship of Conductor and Orchestra | url=https://www.nytimes.com/2002/02/03/arts/music-a-courtship-of-conductor-and-orchestra.html?pagewanted=all | work=The New York Times | date=3 February 2002 | access-date=25 December 2011}} He became Music Director of the Grand Teton Music Festival in September 2005, having been appointed that August.{{cite news | author=Emily Quinn | title=Donald Runnicles Named Next Music Director of Grand Teton Music Festival | url=http://www.playbillarts.com/news/article/2748.html | work=Playbill Arts | date=29 August 2005 | access-date=23 December 2007}} His Grand Teton contract was extended through 2011,{{cite news | url=http://www.sfgate.com/entertainment/article/Opera-s-Runnicles-to-lead-BBC-Scottish-Symphony-2520400.php | title=Opera's Runnicles to lead BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra | work=San Francisco Chronicle | author=Joshua Kosman | date=2 October 2007 | access-date=20 November 2007}} and subsequently to 2019.{{cite press release | url=http://www.gtmf.org/maestro-runnicles-renews-grand-teton-music-festival-contract-through-2019/ | title=Maestro Runnicles Renews Grand Teton Music Festival Contract Through 2019 | date=9 July 2014 | access-date=25 October 2014 | archive-date=25 October 2014 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141025091705/http://www.gtmf.org/maestro-runnicles-renews-grand-teton-music-festival-contract-through-2019/ | url-status=dead }}

Runnicles first conducted the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra (BBC SSO) in 2001. 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.Tim Cornwell, "Conductor back after 18 years to lead BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra". The Scotsman, 2 October 2007.{{cite news | author=Matthew Westphal | title=Homecoming: Donald Runnicles to Succeed Ilan Volkov at BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra | url=http://www.playbillarts.com/news/article/7130.html | work=Playbill Arts | date=1 October 2007 | access-date=14 September 2008}} The BBC SSO appointment marked Runnicles' first principal post with a British orchestra.{{cite news | author=Kenneth Walton | title=Donald Runnicles interview: The return of the prodigal son | url=http://living.scotsman.com/interviews/Donald-Runnicles-interview-The-return.5236651.jp | work=The Scotsman | date=6 May 2009 | access-date=22 September 2009}} In September 2011, the BBC SSO extended his contract as chief conductor through 2015.{{cite press release | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/orchestras/bbcsso/about/news/donald_runnicles_extends_contract.shtml | title=Donald Runnicles extends his contract with the BBC SSO | publisher=BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra | date=September 2011 | access-date=1 October 2011}} In October 2014, the orchestra reported the scheduled conclusion of Runnicles' tenure as chief conductor in September 2016.{{cite press release | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/latestnews/2014/bbcsso-runnicles-emeritus | title=Donald Runnicles to become BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra's Conductor Emeritus | publisher=BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra | date=22 October 2014 | access-date=25 October 2014}} His final concert as the BBC SSO's chief conductor was on 28 August 2016,{{cite news | author=Kate Molleson | title=Gurrelieder review – almighty blast of Schoenberg rounds off festival | url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2016/aug/29/gurrelieder-review-bbcsso-runnicles-usher-hall-edinburgh-festival | work=The Guardian | date=2016-08-29 | access-date=2016-10-03}} 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.{{cite news | author=Matthew Westphal | title=In Sudden Appointment, Donald Runnicles Named Next Music Director of Deutsche Oper Berlin | url=http://www.playbillarts.com/news/article/7298.html | work=Playbill Arts | date=31 October 2007 | access-date=1 November 2007 | archive-date=1 November 2007 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071101130212/http://www.playbillarts.com/news/article/7298.html | url-status=dead }} In December 2016, the company announced the newest extension of Runnicles' contract with the Deutsche Oper Berlin until 2022.{{cite press release | url=http://www.deutscheoperberlin.de/de_DE/vertragsverlaengerung | title=Vertragsverlängerung mit Donald Runnicles | publisher=Deutsche Oper Berlin | date=7 December 2016 | access-date=2016-12-13 | archive-date=20 December 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161220200949/http://www.deutscheoperberlin.de/de_DE/vertragsverlaengerung | url-status=dead }} In November 2020, the Deutsche Oper Berlin announced the most recent extension of Runnicles' contract as its GMD, through 2027.{{cite press release | url=https://deutscheoperberlin.de/de_DE/vertragsverlaengerungen-leitungsspitze-deutsche-oper-berlin | title=Vertragsverlängerungen der Leitungsspitze der Deutschen Oper Berlin | publisher=Deutsche Oper Berlin | date=2 November 2020 | access-date=2020-11-03}} 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.{{cite press release | url=https://deutscheoperberlin.de/de_DE/sir-donald-runnicles-verlaesst-die-oper-2026 | title=Sir Donald Runnicles verlässt die Deutsche Oper Berlin bereits 2026 | publisher=Deutsche Oper Berlin | date=1 September 2023 | access-date=2023-09-12}} From 11 May to 2 June 2024, Runnicles conducted the full season of the Richard Wagner Tetralogy, Der Ring des Nibelungen at Deutsche Oper.Cooper, Tony. (30 May 2024). [https://operawire.com/deutsche-oper-berlin-2024-review-der-ring-des-nibelungen/ 'Deutsche Oper Berlin 2024 Review: Der Ring des Nibelungen']. OperaWire.

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.{{cite press release | url=https://www.dresden.de/de/rathaus/aktuelles/pressemitteilungen/2023/12/pm_047.php | title=Sir Donald Runnicles soll Chefdirigent der Dresdner Philharmonie werden | publisher=Stadt Dresden | date=20 December 2023 | access-date=2023-12-24}}

Personal life

Runnicles has two daughters, Ashley and Tamara,{{cite news | author=Frederik Hanssen | title=Die Stimme eines Herrn | url=http://www.tagesspiegel.de/kultur/Musik-Deutsche-Oper;art971,2411249 | work=Der Tagesspiegel | date=1 November 2007 | access-date=3 November 2007}} from his previous marriage to South African violist Elizabeth Prior,"Conductor returns to the source". The Times, 1 March 2009. as well as an older daughter, Alexandra, from a previous relationship. His second marriage is to the Canadian Pilates teacher Adelle Eslinger.{{cite news | url=https://stringsmagazine.com/violinist-james-ehnes-on-the-majestic-sights-musical-moments-at-the-grand-teton-music-festival/ | title=Violinist James Ehnes on the Majestic Sights & Musical Moments at the Grand Teton Music Festival | work=Strings Magazine | author=James Ehnes | date=2017-09-27 | access-date=2020-10-12}}

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).{{Cite web |last=Bell |first=Katie |date=31 Jan 2011 |title=Distinguished conductor to receive honorary doctorate at The RSAMD |url=http://www.allmediascotland.com/media-releases/30024/distinguished-conductor-to-receive-honorary-doctorate-at-the-rsamd/ |access-date=23 April 2023 |website=AllmediaScotland.com}} In 2019, Runnicles was elected an Honorary Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh.{{Cite web|url=https://www.rse.org.uk/fellow/donald-runnicles/|title=Dr Donald Cameron Runnicles OBE HonFRSE|date=2019-03-15|website=The Royal Society of Edinburgh|language=en-GB|access-date=2019-03-15}} Runnicles was knighted in the 2020 Birthday Honours for services to music.{{London Gazette|issue=63135|supp=y|page=B2|date=10 October 2020}}{{cite press release | url=https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/925151/birthday-honours-2020-diplomatic-overseas-knight-bachelor-order-british-empire.pdf | title=Birthday 2020 Diplomatic Service and Overseas List | publisher=Government of the United Kingdom | date=9 October 2020 | access-date=2020-10-12}}

Discography

References

{{reflist}}

External links

  • [http://www.donaldrunnicles.com/ Official website of Donald Runnicles]
  • [https://www.bbc.co.uk/orchestras/bbcsso/ BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra]
  • [https://web.archive.org/web/20071009114944/http://www.gtmf.org/talentDetail.php?bioID=37 Grand Teton Music Festival]
  • [http://www.exberliner.com/verbatim/75/donald-runnicles Interview with Donald Runnicles in Exberliner Magazine]{{dead link|date=September 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}**
  • [http://www.bruceduffie.com/runnicles.html Interview with Donald Runnicles] by Bruce Duffie, May 1, 1995

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{{succession box | title=Music Director, San Francisco Opera | before=Sir John Pritchard | years=1992–2009| after=Nicola Luisotti}}

{{succession box | title=Principal Conductor, Orchestra of St. Luke's | before=Sir Charles Mackerras | years=2001–2007 | after=Pablo Heras-Casado}}

{{succession box | title=Music Director, Grand Teton Music Festival | before=Eiji Oue | years=2005–present | after=incumbent}}

{{succession box | title=Generalmusikdirektor, Deutsche Oper Berlin | before=Renato Palumbo | years=2009–present| after=incumbent}}

{{succession box | title=Chief Conductor, BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra | before=Ilan Volkov | years=2009–2016 | after=Thomas Dausgaard}}

{{s-end}}

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Runnicles, Donald}}

Category:Scottish conductors (music)

Category:British male conductors (music)

Category:Knights Bachelor

Category:Conductors (music) awarded knighthoods

Category:Music directors (opera)

Category:Living people

Category:1954 births

Category:Musicians from Edinburgh

Category:People educated at George Heriot's School

Category:People educated at George Watson's College

Category:Alumni of the University of Edinburgh

Category:Alumni of St John's College, Cambridge

Category:Officers of the Order of the British Empire

Category:21st-century British conductors (music)

Category:21st-century Scottish male musicians

Category:Chief conductors of the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra