Musicians of sinfonia ViVA

André de Ridder
Principal Conductor

André de Ridder is Principal Conductor of the UK-based sinfonia ViVA and his first few seasons have been highlighted by a range of innovative programmes. His firm grounding in the classical/romantic repertoire, coupled with his passion for a far-reaching range of the arts, have established him as one of the most fascinating and versatile conductors emerging today.

De Ridder is a regular guest with such orchestras as the Philharmonia, Scottish Chamber, Ulster, BBC Symphony, BBC Philharmonic (with whom he has performed at the BBC Proms), BBC NOW, Britten Sinfonia, and the Hallé Orchestra, where he held the position of Assistant Conductor from 2005-2006. In Germany, he has worked with the NDR Radiophilharmonie Hannover, the Deutsche Kammerphilharmonie Bremen, Kammerakademie Potsdam, SWR Stuttgart, Ensemble Oriol and with the orchestra of the Komische Oper. The 2008/09 season featured a number of notable debuts, including Royal Stockholm Philharmonic, Stavanger and Norkopping Symphony Orchestras, Het Brabants Orkest and the opera orchestras of Copenhagen and Hannover, many of which have led to reinvitations in future seasons.

De Ridder has earned a substantial reputation as a devoted supporter of new music. He has appeared regularly on the Philharmonia Orchestra's 'Music of Today' series, where he has conducted portrait concerts of Saariaho, Rihm, Holt and Francesconi. Composers with whom he collaborates in future projects include Brett Dean, Dai Fujikura, Larry Goves, Anna Meredith, Nico Muhly and Wolfgang Rihm.

André de Ridder has appeared at venues such as English National Opera, Teatro Real and Salzburg Festival, performing operas by composers as diverse as Henze, Gerald Barry and Mozart. In 2007-2008 he led premiere performances of Damon Albarn's highly successful Monkey: Journey to the West at the inaugural Manchester International Festival, the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris and the Royal Opera House Covent Garden. The success of Monkey has resulted in further projects currently in development with the composer. In summer 2009, de Ridder led performances of The Cunning Little Vixen at Grange Park Opera, in a new production by David Alden, and returns to Theater Basel in autumn 2009 to conduct three short operas by Wolfgang Rihm.

Less traditional projects in the 2009/2010 season include an experimental rock project at London's Barbican Centre in October 2009, following on from a Barbican appearance performing a Moondog tribute with Britten Sinfonia in May 2009, a Concerto for Beatbox and Orchestra by Anna Meredith to be premiered at London's Southbank Centre and a dance project with Carlos Acosta and BBC Philharmonic at the 2009 Manchester International Festival.

Brought up and educated in Berlin, André de Ridder subsequently studied at the Music Academies of Vienna and London, under Leopold Hager and Sir Colin Davis. As a post-graduate student, he was appointed as Young Conductor in Association with the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra.

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