Halle orchestra names new chief

Halle orchestra names new chief

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norman lebrecht

February 27, 2020

The Manchester orchestra has chosen David Butcher of the Britten Sinfonia to succeed John Summers, who is retiring this summer.

Butcher has been Chief Executive and Artistic Director of the Britten Sinfonia for 25 years.

His first task will be to select likely successors to the music director, Sir Mark Elder.

Comments

  • Louisa Reilly, Wilmslow says:

    A posh white man from London? The Halle needs someone with new ideas and fizz. Not convinced this is it!!!

    • Graeme Hall says:

      Gosh, perish the thought that a “white man” with vast experience in the field might be a suitable candidate…

    • Ellingtonia says:

      I had to smile at this comment from someone living in “poncey Wilmslow”…………………..

      • Will says:

        From Cambridge actually. He’s incontestably white and male but Britten Sinfonia is renowned for being one of the most forward-looking ensembles around, largely thanks to him.

  • Michael Turner says:

    When the time comes for Sir Mark to leave, it will be interesting to see which way the Halle goes – young and developing or experienced and established.

    Kirill Karabits, Vasily Petrenko and Mirga Gražinytė-Tyla have all been very successful for their respective ensembles. Nevertheless, taking the Danish National Symphony Orchestra as one example, Fabio Luisi (and Rafael Fruhbeck de Burgos before him) has done great things and had the benefit of plenty of experience.

  • Stephen Maddock says:

    Excellent choice! Congratulations to David, one of the nicest and most creative people in the business.

  • Matthew Peters says:

    Great hire! David has done a fantastic job with Britten Sinfonia. Looking forward to his plans for Hallé.

  • Dorset dick says:

    what is the position with sir Mark, his contract was until this summer.

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