Jaap van Zweden Talks About New Season in Dallas

I recently sat down with Dallas Symphony conductor Jaap van Zweden to discuss his plans for the new season, 2012-2013. Among the highlights: performances of Britten's A War Requiem, Wagner's Die Walkuere Act I, and Mahler's Symphony No. 6. This last work will also be featured on the orchestra's forthcoming European tour.

In discussing the Wagner it became clear that Van Zweden wants to spend more of his time conducting opera. In early May this year in Dallas he'll be leading performances of Beethoven's Fidelio and he hopes to do more opera in concert with the DSO. 

I also asked him about his new appointment to head the Hong Kong Philharmonic. Here again, the chance to do more opera was part of the attraction. Jaap van Zweden conducting a Ring cycle in a new opera house in Hong Kong would draw fans and critics from all over the world.

Breaking News: This week Challenge Records is releasing a new recording of Britten's A War Requiem conducted by Jaap van Zweden. The recording was made with the Netherlands Radio Philharmonic May, 2011.

Paul E. Robinson