Heaven and Earth
Düsseldorf Symphony Orchestra
Children's Choir Juan Bautista Comes
University Choir of Valencia "Orfeó Universitari"
Catriona Morison, mezzo-soprano
Adam Fischer, conductor
Mahler — Symphony No. 3
INDIVIDUAL TICKET SALES: From 30 July 2026.
DÜSSELDORF SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
The Düsseldorfer Symphoniker performs primarily at the Tonhalle concert hall and Deutsche Oper am Rhein, as well as on international tours dedicated to promoting music and culture. Thanks to its activities, Düsseldorf has earned a reputation as a leading cultural city.
In the 18th century, composers such as Handel and Corelli worked at the “Düsseldorfer Hofkapell” court ensemble until its dissolution. In 1818, the founding of the municipal music association sparked an orchestral tradition in Düsseldorf, attracting renowned musicians including Felix Mendelssohn and Robert Schumann. However, it was not until 1864 that the City of Düsseldorf officially established its own symphony orchestra—making it one of Germany’s oldest orchestras.
Over time, it grew into one of the country’s principal and most distinguished orchestras, led by eminent conductors such as Heinrich Hollreiser, Eugen Szenkar, Jean Martinon, Rafael Frühbeck de Burgos, Henryk Czyż, Willem van Otterloo, Bernhard Klee, David Shallon, Salvador Mas Conde, John Fiore, and Andrey Boreyko.
Maestro Adam Fischer has served as Chief Conductor since 2015.
In 2011, the orchestra toured Spain; in 2012, it participated in the “Beethoven Easter Festival” in Poland and performed in Moscow.
In 2014, its musicians made their debut at Vienna’s Musikverein; in May 2015, they embarked on a nine-concert tour of Tokyo.
In 2017 and 2018, the orchestra was invited to Arnhem (Netherlands) and Moscow, as well as to Amsterdam’s Concertgebouw. In 2018–2019, it performed in Budapest, followed by a successful five-concert tour across Spain.
Two Mahler symphony recordings conducted by Adam Fischer won major international awards in 2019: Symphony No. 1 received the BBC Music Magazine Award, and Symphony No. 3 earned the Opus Klassik Award.
ADAM FISCHER, CONDUCTOR
Born in Budapest, Fischer studied conducting and composition in Vienna with Hans Swarowsky. In 1973, he shared First Prize at the Cantelli Conducting Competition in Milan. He subsequently held posts at the Graz, Karlsruhe, and Freiburg Operas, where he served as General Music Director. His collaboration with the Vienna State Opera also began that same year.
From 1987 to 1992, Fischer was Music Director of the Kassel Opera. In July 1989, he founded and conducted the first Gustav Mahler Festival in Kassel—serving as its Artistic Director. For the festival, he assembled a new orchestra and secured substantial support from the German government. The festival continues to thrive today.
Fischer regularly conducts productions at the Zurich Opera with international stars such as Thomas Hampson, Edita Gruberova, and Cecilia Bartoli. Recent seasons have included Haydn’s *L’anima del filosofo*, Rossini’s *La Cenerentola*, Cimarosa’s *Il matrimonio segreto*, and a revival of his highly acclaimed production of Donizetti’s *Linda di Chamounix* (starring Gruberova), filmed for television.
In January 1997, Fischer brought the Hungarian State Philharmonic to Athens for a full production of Verdi’s *Macbeth*. He has conducted many leading international orchestras, including the Vienna Philharmonic, Orchestre de Paris, London Philharmonic, Royal Philharmonic, Danish National Symphony Orchestra, Dresden Philharmonic, Tonhalle-Orchester Zürich, and Bamberg Symphony.
He maintains a close artistic partnership with the Vienna Chamber Orchestra. His first Japanese tour took place in 1984; he has returned regularly ever since. Fischer made his debuts with the Boston Symphony Orchestra and Chicago Symphony Orchestra in 1984—and that same year toured the United States with the Hungarian State Philharmonic.
In 1987, Adam Fischer launched the Austro-Hungarian Haydn Festival and Orchestra in Eisenstadt, Austria; he currently serves as its Music Director. The festival is now internationally established and attracts top orchestras, ensembles, and soloists from around the world.
With the Austro-Hungarian Haydn Orchestra, Fischer is recording the complete Haydn symphonies for Nimbus. He has also recorded for CBS, EMI, Hungaroton, and Delta. His BBC film of Bartók’s *Bluebeard’s Castle*, featuring the London Philharmonic Orchestra, won the 1989 Premio Italia and the Royal Philharmonic Society & Charles Heidsieck Award for BBC Radio/TV/Video.