Hallé Orchestra announces its first new leader in almost 25 years and its new composer-in-residence

Roberto Ruis (Photo Tom Stephens / The Hallé)

There is a pair of interesting news items over at the Hallé Orchestra. This week, the orchestra's new leader (its first new leader in nearly 25 years) makes his debut and the orchestra's new composer in residence has been announced.

Roberto Ruisi has been appointed leader of the Hallé Orchestra. Ruisi studied at the Royal College of Music and was awarded the Tagore Gold Medal and he appeared as a guest leader for many orchestras, including L’Orchestre National Bordeaux Aquitaine and the RTÉ Concert Orchestra, all by the age of 19. More recently, he has appeared in guest leading roles with Britten Sinfonia, Hallé Orchestra, and was the leader of Sinfonia Cymru. Roberto was also a core member of 12 Ensemble, who have developed a reputation as one of Europe's most exhilarating collectives

He will make his debut as leader on Thursday 6 October 2022 at Bridgewater Hall in Manchester when Mark Elder conducts Rachmaninov’s Piano Concerto No.3 and Richard Strauss's Ein Heldenleben, a nice light little programme to get him going, then! [see the orchestra's website for details]

Roberto Ruisi comments:  "I remember watching the Hallé rehearse when I was only a teenager, with Sir Mark Elder conducting. Their previous leader, Lyn Fletcher, was a mentor of mine and invited me to come and watch. I was utterly blown away. To now be in a position to join this cherished orchestra as its new Leader is an honour."

 As leader Ruisi will have use of a 1695 Stradivarius violin, known as the Lincoln Strad. This instrument was given to the City of Lincoln in 1970 by the Hon. Mrs Dudley Pelham (widow of the younger brother of the 4th Earl of Yarborough), and it is on loan to the Leader of the Hallé.

The composer Dobrinka Tabakova has been appointed composer-in-residence for the orchestra's 2022/23 season. Tabakova's Cello Concerto was included in the orchestra's opening concerts (21,22, 25 September 2022) with soloist Guy Johnston, conducted by Delyana Lazarova, and Tabakova's other works this season will include a new piece for the Hallé Youth Orchestra.

Full details from the orchestra's website.