Thomas Hengelbrock

Thomas Hengelbrock is an exceptional talent in many respects: as a conductor, researcher and music mediator in personal union, he has been inspiring an international audience for many years. The profound examination of the musical text, meaning and content of works forms the focus of his work across epochs and genres and at the same time the basis for his international career. Thomas Hengelbrock regularly unearths works that have been forgotten or thought lost and offers a refreshing new look at the standard repertoire. In addition to historically informed performances of works such as Wagner's "Parsifal" on original instruments and Mascagni's "Cavalleria rusticana" in the original version, he also devotes himself in particular to the music of the immediate present and works closely with contemporary composers such as Jan Müller-Wieland, Wolfgang Rihm, Erkki-Sven Tüür, Jörg Widmann or Simon Wills.

For over 30 years, Thomas Hengelbrock, as founder and artistic director, has celebrated great international successes with his Balthasar Neumann Ensembles. He is also a sought-after partner for orchestras such as the Vienna and Munich Philharmonic Orchestras, the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra and the Orchestre National de France. In 2017, he opened the Elbphilharmonie in Hamburg and conducted the opening concert of the celebrations for the 150th anniversary of the Palais Garnier in Paris in 2025. In September 2024, he was appointed Musical Director of the Orchestre de chambre de Paris.

In addition to his work as a conductor, Thomas Hengelbrock has also been involved as a director in numerous productions such as Purcell's "Dido and Aeneas" or Mozart's "Don Giovanni" and works on interdisciplinary projects with actors such as Klaus Maria Brandauer, Johanna Wokalek and Graham Valentine.

He is particularly concerned with opening up access to art and culture for young people and exciting their curiosity for music. In diverse academy programmes he promotes young musicians and shares his extensive knowledge and experience. In 2016, Thomas Hengelbrock was awarded the Herbert von Karajan Music Prize for his services.