DeFilharmonie

deFilharmonie (known also as the Koninklijke Filharmonie van Vlaanderen, English translation as the Royal Flemish Philharmonic) is a Belgian symphony orchestra, with its principal home base in Antwerp. Founded by Gaston Ariën, Jef Maes, J.A. Zwijsen and Steven Candael in 1956 as the Antwerpse Philharmonie (Antwerp Philharmonie), it operates under the auspices of the government of Flanders. The orchestra performs in several venues around Belgium:

• Antwerp: Queen Elisabeth Hall, deSingel, De Roma, Our Lady’s Cathedral
• Brussels: Paleis voor Schone Kunsten (Centre for Fine Arts)
• Bruges: Concertgebouw Bruges
• Ghent: De Bijloke Muziekcentrum

The current managing director (algemeen directeur) of deFilharmonie is Hans Verbugt.

Philippe Herreweghe was chief conductor (chef-dirigent) of deFilharmonie from 1998 to 2002, and now holds the title of principal conductor (Hoofddirigent) with deFilharmonie. Since the beginning of the 2008-2009 season, Jaap van Zweden has been chief conductor of the orchestra, with an initial contract of 4 years.^[1] In 2011, van Zweden is scheduled to step down from the chief conductorship.^[2] Martyn Brabbins became principal guest conductor with the orchestra in 2009, with an initial contract to 2013. In April 2010, the orchestra announced the appointment of Edo de Waart as its next chief conductor, with an initial contract of 5 years.^{[2] [3]}

The orchestra recorded on the PentaTone, Hyperion, Talent Classics and Naïve labels.

Chief conductors

• Eduard Flipse (1961–1970)
• Enrique Jorda (1970–1975)
• André Vandernoot (1975–1983)
• Emil Tchakarov (1983–1986)
• Günter Neuhold (1986–1991)
• Muhai Tang (1991–1995)
• Grant Llewellyn (1995–1998)
• Philippe Herreweghe (1998–2002)
• Daniele Callegari (2002–2008)
• Jaap van Zweden (2008–2011)
• Edo de Waart (2011–present)

References

1. ^ "Jaap van Zweden chef-dirigent in Vlaanderen". Trouw. 2006-06-30. http://www.trouw.nl/novum/article1323900.ece. Retrieved 2009-03-16. 
2. ^ ^{a b} "Edo de Waart: Chef-dirigent vanaf 2012-2013" (Press release). deFilharmonie. April 2010. http://www.defilharmonie.be/chef-dirigent-vanaf-2012-2013. Retrieved 2010-08-21. 
3. ^ Elaine Schmidt (2010-04-08). "MSO's de Waart takes 2nd gig with Antwerp orchestra". Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel. http://www.jsonline.com/entertainment/arts/90211582.html. Retrieved 2010-08-21. 

External links

• deFilharmonie official home page
• J.B. van Benthem, Instituut voor Nederlandse Geschiedenis, Dutch-language online biography of Eduard Flipse