| Variations of Name | André Ridder | André de Ridder |
| Biography | André de Ridder is Principal Conductor of the UK-based Sinfonia ViVA and his first few seasons have been highlighted by a range of innovative programmes. His firm grounding in the classical/romantic repertoire, coupled with his passion for a far-reaching range of the arts, have contributed to his position as one of the most fascinating conductors emerging today.
De Ridder is a regular guest with such orchestras as the Philharmonia, Scottish Chamber, Ulster, BBC Symphony, BBC Philharmonic (with whom he has performed at the BBC Proms), BBC NOW, Britten Sinfonia, and the Hallé Orchestra, where he held the position of Assistant Conductor from 2005-2006. In Germany, he has worked with the NDR Radiophilharmonie Hannover, the Deutsche Kammerphilharmonie Bremen, Kammerakademie Potsdam, Ensemble Oriol, Ensemble Resonanz and with the orchestra of the Komische Oper. The 2008/09 season featured a number of notable debuts, including Royal Stockholm Philharmonic, Stavanger Symphony Orchestra and the opera orchestras of Copenhagen and Hannover, many leading to reinvitations in future seasons.
He has appeared regularly on the Philharmonia Orchestras Music of Today series, where he has conducted works by Saariaho, Rihm, Holt and Francesconi. Composers involved in de Ridders forthcoming projects include Brett Dean, Dai Fujikura, Larry Goves and Anna Meredith.
André de Ridder has appeared at venues such as English National Opera, Teatro Real and Salzburg Festival, performing operas by composers as diverse as Henze, Gerald Barry and Mozart. In 2007-2008 he led premiere performances of Damon Albarns highly successful Monkey: Journey to the West at the inaugural Manchester International Festival, the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris and the Royal Opera House Covent Garden. The success of Monkey has resulted in further projects currently in development with the composer. In summer 2009, de Ridder conducted The Cunning Little Vixen at Grange Park Opera, in a new production by David Alden, and returns to Theater Basel in autumn 2009 to conduct a Wolfgang Rihm trilogy.
Less traditional projects in the season include a performance of a Concerto for Beatbox and Orchestra by Anna Meredith to be premiered at Londons Southbank Centre. In 2008/2009 de Ridder conducted a Moondog tribute with Britten Sinfonia at Londons Barbican Centre; his return to the Barbican will take place in 2009/2010, with BBC Symphony Orchestra, as part of their focus on Wolfgang Rihm. Also in the current season, de Ridder performs a dance project with Carlos Acosta and BBC Philharmonic at the 2009 Manchester International Festival. He undertakes a tour of Germany with Camerata Salzburg, to include a performance at Philharmonie Berlins Kammermusiksaal and he will additionally make his debut with SWR Sinfonieorchester Baden Baden & Freiburg.
Brought up and educated in Berlin, André de Ridder studied at the Music Academies of Vienna and London, under Leopold Hager and Sir Colin Davis. As a post-graduate student, he was Young Conductor in Association with the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra. |