Alf McCreary: Ulster Orchestra chief conductor Daniele Rustioni on last lap of ‘amazing journey’

By Alf McCreary

Published 22nd Sep 2023, 08:24 BST

His departure was announced earlier this year, and the search is already on to find a worthy successor.

During Rustioni’s tenure there were a number of outstanding achievements including a highly-acclaimed concert last year at the BBC Proms in London’s Royal Albert Hall, and a concert in Linz, the city of the composer Anton Bruckner.

Daniele’s period with the Ulster Orchestra is regarded as one of the most outstanding in its history, and despite the challenges of the Covid pandemic there was significant musical progress.

He described it as “an amazing journey” and added: “It has been a complicated time, but also very exciting for what we have been able to achieve against the odds.”

One bonus of his time here has been the regular appearance on stage of his wife Francesca Dego, a highly-regarded international violinist, who will return to the Ulster Hall for a concert on November 17, conducted by Daniele.

The highlights of the coming season will include a performance of Elgar’s landmark Enigma Variations on February 9, again conducted by Rustioni, and his final concert in the Waterfront Hall on May 24 which will feature Mahler’s monumental Resurrection Symphony No 2.

Speaking of his time with the Ulster Orchestra, Danielle said: “This has been a dream for me and I am grateful for the orchestra for their efforts to make this come true.

“In these hard times we all need to feel that the Resurrection Symphony is not an abstract concept but a real spiritual need.”

Meanwhile, the search for his successor is gathering pace. Patrick McCarthy, the artistic director and Deputy CEO of the orchestra told the News Letter: “The search committee for a new chief conductor has already met twice to consider how we might progress a relationship with recent guests, and to suggest other names new to the Ulster Orchestra.

“There is considerable enthusiasm to progress things, but it is important that we keep the net wide open at this stage.”

The Ulster Orchestra has returned recently from an acclaimed concert in France as part of the Berlioz Festival, which was held in his home town La Cote-Saint-Andre.

Mr McCarthy said: “The festival was extraordinary with a wonderful venue and reception for an excellent and strongly themed Northern Ireland/Ireland performance.”

The orchestra also reports that bookings for the new season are already up on the figures of this time last year.