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

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.[2] He founded the music ensemble HERMES in 1998[3][4] and continues to serve as its artistic director. He has served as music director for the Belgian summer opera festival Zomeropera Alden Biesen.[1]

Kessels became music director of Birmingham Royal Ballet in 2010. In 2015, he became music director of The Royal Ballet.[5][6] 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.[7]

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 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.
  2. ↑ Kirkup, Sarah (2016-09-27). "'Working with contemporary composers is the main purpose of any company'". Gramophone. Retrieved 2017-06-01.
  3. ↑ Chrisopher Morley (2010-01-22). "Koen Kessels picks up the baton at Birmingham Royal Ballet". Business Live. Retrieved 2024-01-02.
  4. ↑ HERMES' own website mentions 2000 as the year of the ensemble's founding.
  5. ↑ 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.
  6. ↑ "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.
  7. ↑ "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.


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