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Symphony Concert

Sir Donald mit Debussy

Debussy and Duruflé - Sound poetry and solace
© Oliver Killig

3/28

Saturday | 3/28/2026
7:00 pm Start of Concert
Concert introduction with Dr. Michael Kube 1 hour before the concert starts in the hall of the Central Library (1st floor).
Kulturpalast, Konzertsaal

Prices
from 64 | 53 | 45 | 39 | 29 | 22 €
FLEX fee + 6 €
Reduced prices:
from € 10 for pupils under 18 
from €10 for young people under 30
from 11 € for Dresden-Pass and SB from GdB 80
Who receives discounts? Read here.

About the Concert

Claude Debussy's "Prélude à l'après-midi d'un faune" is a masterpiece of Impressionism. Inspired by a poem by the Symbolist Stéphane Mallarmé, the music paints the picture of a dreaming faun on a warm afternoon. With floating flute sounds and gentle harmonies, Debussy transports us into a world between dream and reality – a sensory delight in sound. Not many works of the 20th century are as naturally included in concert programs today as the music of Maurice Duruflé, who passed away in 1986. Particularly his sacred vocal music continues to enjoy enduring popularity, surely also due to its accessible musical language. Duruflé had little interest in breaking with tradition; in his 1947 Requiem, he engaged with the model of the two generations older Gabriel Fauré and let his enthusiasm for Gregorian chant run free. However, the work is not backward-looking: Contrary to the operatic settings of the Requiem in the 19th century, Duruflé focused less on the pains of the Last Judgment and more on the otherworldly redemption. Chief conductor Sir Donald Runnicles and the MDR Radio Choir infuse this work with a special intensity through their sensitivity and beauty of sound.

Program

Claude Debussy
"Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun"
"The Blessed Damozel" Lyric poem for soprano, alto, women's choir, and orchestra

Maurice Duruflé
Requiem for mezzo-soprano, baritone, mixed choir, orchestra, and organ

Artists

Sir Donald Runnicles
Conductor
Heidi Stober
Soprano
Karis Tucker
Mezzo-soprano
Markus Eiche
Baritone
Thomas Ospital
Organ
MDR-Rundfunkchor
Dresdner Philharmonie

Biographies

Sir Donald Runnicles

Chief Conductor of the Dresdner Philharmonie

Introducing Sir Donald Runnicles! More pictures & videos of our new Chief Conductor can be found here.

Sir Donald Runnicles has been Chief Conductor of the Dresden Philharmonic since the start of the 2025/26 season. In his first Dresden season, he will be presenting Strauss's "Elektra" in concert, conducting concerts at the British Festival, and leading the orchestra on a tour of Asia, to name just a few projects. The Scotsman will also remain General Music Director of the Deutsche Oper Berlin until mid-2026. He stands for the principle of quality over quantity and has thus established close artistic ties with renowned institutions worldwide, both in the opera pit and on the concert podium.

 

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Heidi Stober

With her crystal-clear voice and highly credible stage performances, American soprano Heidi Stober is enjoying a flourishing international career. She recently made her debut at the Royal Opera House Covent Garden, where she sang the celebrated role of Gretel in “Hansel and Gretel”. Musetta, Pamina, Susanna and Marguerite are also part of her extensive repertoire. She can be heard not only on the opera stage, but also in concert or in song recitals in Europe and the United States.

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Karis Tucker

Mezzo-soprano Karis Tucker grew up in Cluj-Napoca, Romania, as a child of American parents, and later went for her studies to Cincinnati in the United States, where she was also able to gain her first stage experience. From 2019 to 2022, the award-winning singer was part of the Deutsche Oper Berlin ensemble, initially as a scholarship holder of the Opera Foundation New York and then as a scholarship holder of the sponsor circle of the opera. She has been a permanent member of this company since 2022/23.

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Markus Eiche

Baritone Wolfram Eiche, who was born in the German Black Forest area, began his career at the Nationaltheater Mannheim, where he was able to develop a large repertoire. Since then, engagements have taken him all over Europe, to Japan and to the USA. He has been a permanent fixture at the Bayreuth Festival since 2007, where he most recently sang Wolfram in “Tannhäuser”. His repertoire also includes operas from Mozart to Strauss and Krenek, as well as concert pieces ranging from Bach's Passions to Britten's “War Requiem”.

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Thomas Ospital

Born in the French Basque Country in 1990, Thomas Ospital was appointed titular organist at the great organ of Saint-Eustache in Paris in 2015. He has travelled all over Europe as a concert organist, chamber musician and soloist with orchestra, and has also played in Russia and the USA. He is a professor at the Paris Conservatoire and gives masterclasses in literature and improvisation, which occupies a large part of his musical practice and also serves him as an accompanist for silent films.

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MDR-Rundfunkchor

The MDR Rundfunkchor is the largest choir of the German public broadcasting service and celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2024. Secular and sacred music, ensemble singing and choral symphonic works are equally part of its repertoire, which spans almost a millennium of music history. The ensemble is an excellent partner for Europe's well-known symphony orchestras, but with its clear, defined and full sound, it is also a leader in the interpretation of a cappella works.

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Dresdner Philharmonie

Top Class!

Top class! That is the claim of the Dresden Philharmonic Orchestra. The orchestra stands for concerts at the highest artistic level, musical education for all ages and looking beyond the musical horizon. Guest performances on almost every continent and collaborations with guests from all over the world have established the reputation of the Dresden Philharmonic Orchestra in the international classical music world.  

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