General Music Director, Tomáš Netopil, marks the end of his tenure with the Aalto Musik Theater and Philharmonie Essen this week with performances on 22 and 23 June. The programme, which celebrates his Czech roots, includes Janáček’s Taras Bulba and Dvořák’s powerful Te Deum opening with a work by Dvořák’s son-in-law Suk; A Fairy Tale.

Netopil has enjoyed 10 successful seasons at the helm, during which he has recorded Mahler’s symphonies No.2, No.6 and No.9, with the release of their recording together of Mahler’s Symphony No.3 celebrating the end of his time in Essen. In addition to that, his recording legacy also includes Martinů’s Ariane, Suk’s Asraël, and Weber’s Der Freischütz.

He already looks forward to returning to Essen to celebrate 125 years of Philharmonie Essen in April 2024, with works by Dvořák, Bartók and Janáček.