Beethoven Orchester Bonn
| Beethoven Orchester Bonn | |
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| Symphony orchestra | |
The Beethovenhalle, the main venue of the orchestra
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| Former name |
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| Founded | 1907 |
| Location | Bonn, Germany |
| Website | www |
The Beethoven Orchester Bonn is the symphony orchestra of Bonn, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, where Ludwig van Beethoven was born. It dates back to 1907, when a professional orchestra was established.
As of 2017[update], the orchestra has around 100 players, performing opera and concerts, the latter both in Bonn and internationally. The main concert venue is the Beethovenhalle. The orchestra has been directed since 2008 by Generalmusikdirektor Stefan Blunier. His designated successor for the 2017/18 season is Dirk Kaftan.
The orchestra dates back to 1907 when the town of Bonn signed a contract with the Philharmonische Orchester Koblenz from Koblenz and its Kapellmeister, to serve Bonn. It was the first professional orchestra in Bonn since the court chapel had been dissolved in 1794. It was first named Städtisches Orchester Bonn (Municipal orchestra Bonn), from 1963 Orchester der Beethovenhalle Bonn (Orchestra of the Beethovenhalle Bonn), and from 2003 Beethoven Orchester Bonn.
The orchestra suffered in World War I, when its main venue, the old Beethovenhalle, served as a lazaretto, and many players were recruited. The orchestra was dissolved in April 1916, and only reestablished in 1920. During World War II, the hall was damaged by bombing. The new Beethovenhalle was inaugurated in 1959.
The centenary of the orchestra was celebrated on 21 September 2007 as part of the Beethovenfest, performing the premiere of the symphony "Abendland" by Karsten Gundermann, Beethoven's First Symphony and Edward Elgar's Violin Concerto with Gidon Kremer as the soloist. An exhibition in the opera house was dedicated to the history.
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Wikipedia