Koen_Kessels

Koen Kessels

Koen Kessels

Belgian conductor and pianist

Koen Kessels (born 1961) is a Belgian conductor and pianist. He is music director of Birmingham Royal Ballet and of The Royal Ballet.[2][1]

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Biography

Trained as a pianist, Kessels studied at the Royal Conservatoire of Antwerp. He became a repetiteur and an assistant conductor at the Vlaamse Opera.[3] He founded the music ensemble HERMES in 1998[4][5] and continues to serve as its artistic director. He has served as music director for the Belgian summer opera festival Zomeropera Alden Biesen.[2]

Kessels became music director of Birmingham Royal Ballet in 2010. In 2015, he became music director of The Royal Ballet.[6][7] In December 2023, Dutch National Ballet announced the appointment of Kessels as its next music director, which includes the posts of artistic director and chief conductor of Het Balletorkest, effective 1 August 2024.[8] Kessels is scheduled to conclude his tenure as music director of Birmingham Royal Ballet on 30 June 2024.[9]

Kessels is an honorary professor at Birmingham University, as well as artistic director of Inspiratum. He is also on staff of the Royal Conservatoire of Antwerp.

References

  1. [1]
    Jessica Salter (2015-11-21). "The world of Koen Kessels". The Telegraph. Retrieved 2016-05-20.
  2. [2]
    Hanna Weibye (2017-05-31). "Koen Kessels: 'there's a joke in ballet we only have two tempi'". The Arts Desk. Retrieved 2024-01-01.
  3. [3]
    Kirkup, Sarah (2016-09-27). "'Working with contemporary composers is the main purpose of any company'". Gramophone. Retrieved 2017-06-01.
  4. [4]
    Chrisopher Morley (2010-01-22). "Koen Kessels picks up the baton at Birmingham Royal Ballet". Business Live. Retrieved 2024-01-02.
  5. [5]
    HERMES' own website mentions 2000 as the year of the ensemble's founding.
  6. [6]
    Shipman, Chris (2014-10-07). "Koen Kessels to succeed Barry Wordsworth as Music Director of The Royal Ballet — News — Royal Opera House". Roh.org.uk. Retrieved 2016-05-20.
  7. [7]
    "Koen Kessels to succeed Barry Wordsworth as Music Director of The Royal Ballet and Barry Wordsworth to become Principal Guest Conductor" (PDF) (Press release). The Royal Ballet. 7 October 2014. Retrieved 2024-01-02.
  8. [8]
    "Koen Kessels nieuwe muzikaal leider Het Nationale Ballet & artistiek leider & chef-dirigent Het Balletorkest" (Press release). Dutch National Ballet. 14 December 2023. Retrieved 2024-01-02.
  9. [9]
    "Paul Murphy announced as new Music Director" (Press release). Birmingham Royal Ballet. 22 January 2024. Retrieved 2024-01-24.
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