Marc Albrecht
News
Starting with the 26/27 season, Marc Albrecht will assume the role of Chief Conductor of the Antwerp Symphony Orchestra. Before his official appointment, he will appear with the orchestra as Chief Conductor Designate during the 25/26 season.
Marc Albrecht is widely regarded as an outstanding conductor, particularly acclaimed for his interpretations of late-Romantic German-Austrian repertoire and contemporary music. He is much in demand as a guest conductor at renowned opera houses such as the Bavarian State Opera, Tokyo National Opera and the Grand Théâtre de Genève. He also conducts orchestras such as the Berlin Philharmonic, the Munich Philharmonic, the Orchestre National de France and the NHK Symphony Orchestra in major concert halls around the world.
Throughout his career, Albrecht has already received numerous accolades, including being named Conductor of the Year twice. In recognition of his contributions to Dutch musical life during his ten-year tenure as Music Director of Dutch National Opera and the Netherlands Philharmonic Orchestra, he was appointed Knight of the Order of the Netherlands Lion in 2020.
Marc Albrecht about his partnership with the Antwerp Symphony Orchestra: "When we played our very first concerts together, I felt very inspired by the orchestra’s deep musicality and its rich and variable sound. I am impatient to start on our musical journey, exploring new artistic horizons together".
Dates:
07 March 2026, Queen Elisabeth Hall, Antwerp
27 June 2026, Queen Elisabeth Hall, Antwerp
21/01/2025
Since taking up his first position as General Music Director at the age of just 30, Marc Albrecht has been an established figure on the international opera scene. Award-winning productions, GRAMMY-nominated DVD recordings and the nomination of the Dutch National Opera as “Opera House of the Year” during his tenure bear witness to this.
Albrecht is in demand as a specialist in the German-Austrian late Romantic repertoire from Wagner and Strauss to Zemlinsky, Schreker and Korngold, loves the large orchestral apparatus and knows how to exploit the almost infinite sound possibilities of the orchestra. At the same time, he always tries to make the symphonic texture transparent as chamber music.
Major debuts are now a rarity; most opera productions mean a return to well-known stages for Albrecht. Currently, however, he is in the pit of the New National Theatre Tokyo for the first time, where he is the musical director for a production of Richard Wagner's opera “The Flying Dutchman”.
He will then return to a house with which he has long been closely associated: at the Bavarian State Opera in Munich, he will conduct the new production of Janáček's Káťa Kabanová, which premieres on March 17, 2025 and will be broadcast live on BR-Klassik.
14/09/2024
On Sunday, Marc Albrecht will conduct the premiere of Richard Wagner's 'Tristan und Isolde' at the Grand Théâtre de Genève with the Orchestre de la Suisse Romande.
This performance marks the beginning of a series of performances, continuing on 18, 22, 24, and 27 September. The production is directed by renowned stage director Michael Thalheimer.
For more information on dates and tickets, visit the official website of the theater at gtg.ch.
Alexander von Zemlinsky's "Eine florentinische Tragödie" (1917) eagerly awaited album was released on 14 June 2024. Under the baton of Marc Albrecht, the Netherlands Philharmonic Orchestra delivers a dazzling rendition of this tense, opulent score. The album features the talents of John Lundgren (Simone), Nikolai Schukoff (Guido Bardi) and Ausrine Stundyte (Bianca).
Zemlinsky’s opera, known for its dramatic narrative where a tenor and soprano's love is thwarted by a baritone, reaches new heights under Albrecht's direction. The Netherlands Philharmonic Orchestra, celebrated for their late-Romantic repertoire and awarded the 2021 Opus Klassik for Zemlinsky’s "Die Seejungfrau", brings depth and brilliance to the recording. This album release is yet another highlight for the Dutch National Opera, recently crowned Opera House of the Year 2024 by Oper! Magazine.
With seasoned soloists and a world-class orchestra, this rendition of "Eine florentinische Tragödie" is set to captivate and impress classical music enthusiasts worldwide. You can listen to the album on all streaming platforms.
Marc Albrecht has been awarded the OPUS KLASSIK in the category Conductor of the Year for his production „Zemlinsky – Die Seejungfrau“. The album features Zemlinsky’s enigmatic symphonic poem, based on the fairy tale by Hans Christian Andersen, through a series of vivid music motives and earned considerable acclaim all around. Trouw, for instance, wrote: "The performance is rich in detail, compelling and exhilarating. Marc Albrecht beautifully leads the strongly expanded orchestra, which plays brilliantly.“ – "A marvellous recording“, wrote rbb Kultur. "Marc Albrecht has always had the gift of bringing out transparency, light and filigree structures in these opulent, late-Romantic orchestral masses."
Released in June 2020, the recording marked the final PENTATONE album of Marc Albrecht as chief conductor of the Netherlands Philharmonic Orchestra.
The OPUS KLASSIK award ceremony will take place on October 10, 2021 in the Konzerthaus Berlin on Gendarmenmarkt and will be broadcast on German Television, the ZDF, on the same evening at 10:15 p.m.
Marc Albrecht has been awarded the Prix d'Amis 2020 for his work as chief conductor of the Dutch National Opera and the Netherlands Philharmonic Orchestra from 2011-2020 by the Friends of Dutch National Opera. He will also be made a "Honorary Friend of Dutch National Opera". The jury praised Albrecht for his performances, his eye for aesthetics and his versatility in style: „He has made a difference as a top-level conductor". Marc Albrecht, who bade farewell this year after 9 years of head of DNO, will donate the money that comes with the prize to the Kersjesfonds, which helps young conductors improve their professional skills.
„What a great surprise and wonderful news to win the Prix d'Amis. I am honoured to get this award from the Friends and donors of Dutch National Opera for my tenure at Dutch National Opera and I would like to express my gratitude to everyone involved.
I have had to say goodbye to DNO and the Dutch audience in strange and sad circumstances because of the Covid-19 measures. My heart is still very much at Dutch National Opera, so I am very happy that by winning the Prix d'Amis and being made "Honorary Friend of Dutch National Opera" I will remain part of this family. This will once again strengthen our relationship and I am already looking forward to being "back in de bak" in the near future." (Marc Albrecht)
Photo: Marco Borggreve
The production of Korngold's "Das Wunder der Heliane" at Deutsche Oper Berlin, conducted by Marc Albrecht, has won the Opus Klassik award 2020 for Best Opera Recording of a 20./21. century opera!
A neglected masterpiece, the production was voted "Rediscovery of the Year" by the critics of Opernwelt magazine and earned considerable acclaim all round – Neue Musikzeitung, for instace, wrote: "How Marc Albrecht ignites and holds together the exuberant, velvety luxurious orchestral shimmer that would later serve as a blueprint for countless film scores is an experience." Directed by Christof Loy, the cast includes Sara Jakubiak, Josef Wagner, Brian Jagde and Okka von der Damerau.
The celebrated recording was released by Naxos in June 2019 and is available here: https://www.naxos.com/catalogue/item.asp?item_code=2.110584-85
Photo: Monika Rittershaus
For his many contributions to the Dutch and international classical music landscape, Marc Albrecht has been appointed the knighthood of the Order of the Netherlands Lion. It is one of the oldest and highest civil orders in the Netherlands and is intended for extraordinary merits in science and the arts. He was awarded the order by Deputy mayor Touria Meliani on June 20 after a concert with the Netherlands Philharmonic Orchestra at Het Concertgebouw Amsterdam.
Marc Albrecht and the Netherlands Philharmonic Orchestra present Zemlinsky's symphonic poem Die Seejungfrau (The Mermaid). Lush and enigmatic, it is based on the fairy tale by Hans Christian Andersen. Through a series of motives, Zemlinsky depicts the musical fantasy in vivid colours: from the bottom of the ocean through the storm to an exuberant ball, introducing the Mermaid through solo violin. This new recording marks the final PENTATONE album of Marc Albrecht as chief conductor of the Netherlands Philharmonic Orchestra.
The Grammy nominations are out – and an opera production conducted by Marc Albrecht has been nominated for “Best Opera Recording”! The 2017 production of Alban Berg’s “Wozzeck” at the Dutch National Opera, and Music Director Marc Albrecht’s interpretation in particular, earned great critical acclaim – “Marc Albrecht lets [the score] glow and blaze,” wrote German critic Manuel Brug of newspaper Die Welt. The recording was released on Naxos in 2018. “Wozzeck” was performed by the Netherlands Philharmonic Orchestra as well as the Chorus of Dutch National Opera, directed by Krzysztof Warlikowski and the cast included Christopher Maltman as well as Eva-Maria Westbroek.
In 2009, Marc Albrecht celebrated a notable success at Royal Opera House with Wagner’s “Fliegender Holländer” – this summer, he makes a return to Covent Garden: From June 19 he will be conducting a new production of Mussorgksky’s “Boris Godunov”, directed by Richard Jones. Bass-baritone Bryn Terfel takes over the titular role of the hesitant tsar.
Marc Albrecht received the "Conductor of the Year" award at this year's International Opera Awards. At the award ceremony at Sadler's Wells in London on April 29, Leontyne Price amongst others was honoured with a Lifetime Achievement award. Albrecht, who last year directed the opening production "Ariadne auf Naxos" at Aix-en Provence Festival and the production "Das Wunder der Heliane" at the Deutsche Oper Berlin in addition to the productions at the Dutch National Opera House, thanked the jury for the award and emphasized the long and fruitful collaboration at the Amsterdam Opera House, whose chief position Albrecht has accompanied for more than ten years now.
Marc Albrecht continues his focus on Strauss with a new album. On this new CD, he combines the “Burleske” with one of Strauss’ most famous tone poems “Ein Heldenleben” and, thereby, presents two facets of the composer’s musical persona. The Netherlands Philharmonic Orchestra and the pianist Denis Kozhukhin support Albrecht as musical partners for this recording.
A detailed press text can be found via this link.
Further information on this album are available here.
Biography
Internationally renowned for his exceptional interpretations of the late-Romantic repertoire, Marc Albrecht is also celebrated as a leading expert in contemporary music. His chamber music approach brings remarkable transparency to his work with large orchestras, allowing symphonic structures to shine with striking clarity.
In the 2025/26 season, Marc Albrecht is the designated Chief Conductor of the Antwerp Symphony Orchestra, officially assuming the role of Chief Conductor in the 2026/27 season.
This season, Albrecht returns as a guest conductor at leading opera houses, including the Bayerische Staatsoper and Deutsche Oper Berlin, as well as in Cologne, Amsterdam, Geneva, and Tokyo. His repertoire centres on pivotal works of late-Romantic music theatre, particularly those by Richard Wagner (“Lohengrin”, “Das Rheingold”, “Die Walküre”, “Tristan und Isolde”), Richard Strauss (“Elektra”, “Salome”, “Die Frau ohne Schatten”), and Leoš Janáček (“Káťa Kabanová”), whose dramatic intensity and richly-coloured orchestration he interprets with exceptional precision. In previous seasons he has conducted productions at the Royal Opera House Covent Garden in London, La Scala in Milan, and the Opéra de Paris.
Marc Albrecht's concert engagements have seen him conduct such prestigious orchestras as the Berliner Philharmoniker, Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin, Münchner Philharmoniker, and Dresdner Philharmonie, as well as the Orchestre National de France, Orquesta Sinfónica y Coro de RTVE, Gulbenkian Orchestra, and the Orchestra Sinfonica Nazionale della RAI in Turin. Further afield, he has also worked with the Cleveland Orchestra, NHK Symphony Orchestra, Orquestra Sinfônica do Estado de São Paulo, Taiwan Philharmonic, and Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra.
He has also appeared at major festivals, including the Bayreuth Festival (Wagner’s “Der fliegende Holländer”), the Aix-en-Provence Festival (Strauss’ “Ariadne auf Naxos”), and the Salzburg Festival (Berg’s “Lulu”). At the BBC Proms, he conducted the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra in a performance featuring excerpts from Wagner’s “Götterdämmerung” with Christine Goerke and Stephen Gould.
His artistic achievements have been recognised with numerous awards. In 2021, Marc Albrecht was honoured with the OPUS KLASSIK award as "Conductor of the Year." Two years earlier, he had received the International Opera Award in the same category. For a decade, he served as Chief Conductor of the Netherlands Philharmonic Orchestra and the Dutch National Opera; the latter was named “Opera House of the Year” in 2016 under his direction. In recognition of his contributions to the arts, he was appointed “Knight of the Order of the Dutch Lion” in 2020.
Marc Albrecht's highly-acclaimed discography reflects his versatility and interpretive depth. He has twice received the OPUS KLASSIK award for “Best Opera Recording of the 20th/21st Century” – for Korngold’s “Das Wunder der Heliane” (NAXOS) and Zemlinsky’s “Die Seejungfrau” (Pentatone), both recorded with the
Netherlands Philharmonic Orchestra. His production of Alban Berg’s “Wozzeck” at the Dutch National Opera was nominated for a GRAMMY in the category of “Best Opera Recording” in 2017. His most recent recording of Zemlinsky’s “Eine florentinische Tragödie” with Pentatone received widespread critical acclaim.
Marc Albrecht’s musical career was profoundly influenced by Claudio Abbado. Following his studies in Vienna and early roles as a répétiteur at the Vienna and Hamburg State Operas, he became Abbado's assistant and played a pivotal role in establishing the Gustav Mahler Youth Orchestra, leading and shaping it for over five years. In 1995, he was appointed to the Staatstheater Darmstadt as one of Germany’s youngest General Music Directors, following his tenure as First Kapellmeister at the Semperoper in Dresden.
Season 2024/25
Calendar
Media
"... bannende Ausstrahlung geht auch von Marc Albrecht aus."
Die Welt
Press Quotes
Zemlinskys „Eine florentinische Tragödie“
Marc Albrecht unleashes an arsenal of sounds, chords and tones even after the passionate explosion of the prelude. In 54 minutes, there is not a second of waning tension. Voices and orchestra engage in bizarre love wars of impulsive desire, deadly jokes and subtle cruelty.
Roland H. Dippel, Concerti, 2 August 2024
Marc Albrecht […] deploys the forces of the Netherlands Philharmonic to powerful effect, allowing the music to bloom where needed, but keeping a sure finger on the underlying pulse.
Europadisc
Marc Albrecht extracts such colourful and impassioned playing from the Netherlands Philharmonic that the opera’s hot-house score still dazzles.
The Times
Marc Albrecht –an established specialist in this repertoire from the first decades of the 20th century – unafraid to unleash his orchestra to full effect.
Hugo Shirley, Gramophone
Marc Albrecht is one of the most exciting conductors of his generation. He is in demand internationally as a conductor of the German-Austrian late Romantic repertoire from Wagner and Strauss to Zemlinsky, Schreker and Korngold, and also cultivates with conviction the entire spectrum from Mozart to contemporary music.
Pentatone
Frau ohne Schatten, Oper Köln
Albrecht presents himself as a director of Richard Strauss of caliber, who dispatches this Shadowless Woman with as much sensuality as intelligence and does not betray her with striking effects.
Mundoclasico, October 11, 2023
[T]he result is more than satisfactory thanks also to the skilful musical direction of Marc Albrecht, who has been in great harmony with the complex sound world of Richard Strauss for years. Under his guidance the Gürzenich Orchester shows the infinite range of colors and sound power, but also knows how to gather in warm chamber sounds and release the singing of strings in the solos of moving lyricism. Albrecht's great merit is in the great balance, never easy, with the voices on the scene, which reach the audience with plastic sharpness in this performance.
Stefano Nardelli, Giornale Della Musica, October 16, 2023
Concert with the Nederlands Philharmonisch Orkest, Concertgebouw Amsterdam
Unchanged, […] Albrecht's ability to tighten the score in a single, very tense narrative arc, in a performance of enthralling vitality welcomed by the public with a real ovation.
Edoardo Saccenti, OperaClick, October 11, 2023
Turandot, Philharmonia Zürich
Marc Albrecht was a veritable powerhouse in the pit […] A fantastic production of a fantastic opera - 1 cannot say more.
Seen und Heard International, June 19, 2023
Königskinder, Dutch National Opera Amsterdam
Back in the pit with his trusted Netherlands Philharmonic Orchestra, Albrecht conducted superbly, highlighting the chamber-like details of the score and pinpointing the many string solos.
Nicolas Nguyen, Bachtrack, October7, 2022
Concert with the Dallas Symphony Orchestra
But the Meyerson Symphony Center audience got quite a showcase of the […] fastidious command and generous musicality of German guest conductor Marc Albrecht.
Scott Cantrell, The Dallas Morning News, March 18, 2022
Der Schatzgräber, Deutsche Oper Berlin
[...] But the evening’s real hero is conductor Marc Albrecht. He has been fascinated by the piece for decades, and it shows. He knows just how to give full throttle to the score’s lush extremes without losing any of the detail; how to pull back for moments of whispering tenderness; how to hold his singers in the palm of his hand. The orchestra shows just how much more subtlety and refinement it can produce in the right hands. The piece lives and breathes.
Der Schatzgräber deserves more outings than this, and different takes on its strange story-line. But this is an excellent start, and the perfect way to hear an extraordinary score. [...]
Financial Times, Shirley Apthorp, May 4, 2022
Alexander Zemlinsky: Die Seejungfrau
A marvellous recording. Marc Albrecht has always had the gift of bringing out transparency, light and filigree structures in these opulent, late-Romantic orchestral masses.
rbb Kultur, July 2020
Marc Albrecht and the Nederlands Philharmonic Orchestra have created an exhilarating interpretation of Zemlinsky's tone poem "Die Seejungfrau".
Der Tagesspiegel, July 2020
Listening to this fine new recording from Marc Albrecht and the Netherlands Philharmonic, the neglect of Seejungfrau seems particularly baffling.
The Guardian, June 2020
The performance is rich in detail, compelling and exhilarating. (...) [Marc Albrecht] beautifully leads the strongly expanded orchestra, which plays brilliantly.
Trouw, June 2020
Marc Albrecht and the Netherlands Philharmonic show a close bond from the first note, so that the interpretative ideas are implemented with pinpoint accuracy. This then goes far beyond simply playing the notes. Rather, the musicians allow the colours and waves that are incorporated in the sea motifs to emerge clearly.
Pizzicato, June 2020
Albrecht and the Netherlands Philharmonic Orchestra shine in this recording. The deep sea, the sea witch, sunlight breaking on waves: they draw the mermaid's biotope with ease.
Volkskrant, June 2020
BBC Proms, London
“Albrecht's exciting performance [of Le Chasseur maudit] had momentum, and maintained tension even in the slow central part.”
“As music director of Dutch National Opera, Albrecht is an experienced Wagnerian and he drew all the strands together with theatrical relish, inspiring the RPO in the process.”
Daily Telegraph, September 2019
“Albrecht lifted this listener out of the concert hall and deposited me in a baleful landscape the like of which I'd never previously encountered in this music. By the careful highlighting of specific solos or sections, then allowing balance to follow naturally, he did more than conquer the Royal Albert Hall’s exuberant acoustic: he exploited it. This accursed huntsman's musical material may be thinly stretched over the 14-minute running time but Franck’s orchestral colours enrich it triumphantly and Albrecht’s conducting ripped it from the page.“
Bachtrack, September 2019
“[Marc Albrecht] coaxed some outstanding playing from the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra: I have not heard them on such form in years.“
„Albrecht had also proved himself a master of transition in the Overture to Weber’s Der Freischütz – astutely programmed as a piece that worked magic on Wagner’s imagination – and in the wild ride of Le Chausseur Maudit by Franck.“
The Arts Desk, September 2019
“Albrecht showed – in the venue where Wagner conducted his own music in 1877 – how he has a deep understanding of German Romanticism and rarely can the RPO have sounded better at the Proms in recent years.”
Seen and Heard International, September 2019
Contact
General Management:
Susanne Büttner
+44 20 7395 09-31
susanne.buettner@kdschmid.co.uk
Germany, Austria, Switzerland:
Annemarie Burnett
+49 177 36607-03
annemarie.burnett@kdschmid.de
Artist Coordination:
Jan-Christian Nauck
+49 511 36607-22
jan-christian.nauck@kdschmid.de
Italy:
Resia Artists, Patrizia Garrasi
+39 02654162
p.garrasi@resiartists.it
Spain/Portugal:
Duetto Management, Enrique Subiela
+34 96 337 9480
esubiela@duettomanagement.com
Japan:
Pacific Concert Management, Hiromi Tanaka
+81 3 3552 3831
tanaka@pacific-concert.co.jp