In Conversation – Sir Donald Runnicles

A conductor with an impressive career that now spans 45 years, Sir Donald Runnicles has had enduring relationships in chief artistic leadership positions at many organisations around the world – Deutsche Oper Berlin, the Scottish Symphony Orchestra, the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, the Grand Teton Music Festival amongst many others, with his newest position as Chief Conductor of the Dresden Philharmonic. He’s quite the Wagnerian and is celebrated for his interpretations of Romantic and post-Romantic symphonic and opera repertoire.

In this conversation, Donald traces his path from a musical upbringing in Edinburgh immersed in church music and choral singing to an international career defined by long-standing artistic relationships and a deep affinity for German repertoire, particularly Wagner. He reflects on the formative experience of learning his craft in the opera houses of Germany, the importance of communication as a conductor through gesture rather than words, and how his understanding of music continues to evolve over time. He also gives insights into his work and relationship with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra as its Chief Guest Conductor.

Sir Donald Runnicles conducts the Sydney Symphony Orchestra for Tchaikovsky’s Fifth Symphony and Shostakovich’s Violin Concerto no 1 from 15-18 April.