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 2025/26 season. He can already look back on a career spanning over 45 years in concert halls and opera houses around the world. In his programmes, he combines familiar works with new ones, placing emotional immediacy and intellectual depth at the heart of his performances. In the summer of 2026, the Scottish-born conductor concluded his 16-year tenure as General Music Director of the Deutsche Oper Berlin.

South African tenor Sunnyboy Dladla is one of the most exciting and sought-after Rossini interpreters of his generation. With his brilliantly clear voice and outstanding stage presence, he combines an active opera career with numerous concert appearances. His signature role is the Conte d'Almaviva in Rossini's "Il barbiere di Siviglia", but he can also be heard in roles such as Arone in "Mosè in Egitto" and Ferrando in Mozart's "Così fan tutte", and sings in Orff's "Carmina Burana" throughout Europe.

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.  

The Dresden Philharmonic Choir has been active for over 55 years, since it was founded in 1967 on the initiative of Kurt Masur. The approximately 70 singers perform the demanding choral work in their free time. They give concerts with the Dresden Philharmonic Orchestra under the direction of the respective chief and guest conductors, collaborate with other choirs and orchestras and perform a cappella programs in and outside of Dresden. Iris Geißler has led the ensemble since October 2022.