Heaven and Earth
Düsseldorf Symphony Orchestra
Children's Choir Juan Bautista Comes
Orfeó Universitari de València
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 the Deutsche Oper am Rhein, as well as on international tours aimed at promoting music and culture—contributing significantly to Düsseldorf’s reputation as a renowned 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 gave rise to an orchestral tradition in Düsseldorf, attracting prominent musicians including Felix Mendelssohn and Robert Schumann. However, it was not until 1864 that the Düsseldorf City Orchestra was formally established—making it one of Germany’s oldest orchestras.
Over time, it evolved into one of the country’s leading major orchestras under the baton of distinguished 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 and completed a successful five-concert tour across Spain.
Two recordings of Mahler symphonies conducted by Adam Fischer received prestigious awards in 2019: the First Symphony won the BBC Music Magazine Award, and the Third Symphony 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 opera houses, 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 this festival, he created a new orchestra and secured substantial support from the German government. The festival continues to thrive today.
He regularly conducts productions at the Zurich Opera with international artists 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 Symphony Orchestra to Athens for a full production of Verdi’s *Macbeth*.
Fischer has conducted many leading international orchestras, including the Vienna Philharmonic, Orchestre de Paris, London Philharmonic, Royal Philharmonic, Danish National Radio Symphony Orchestra, Dresden Philharmonic, Tonhalle-Orchester Zürich, and Bamberg Symphony.
He maintains close artistic ties with the Vienna Chamber Orchestra. His first Japanese tour took place in 1984; he has since returned regularly. 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 Symphony Orchestra.
In 1987, Adam Fischer founded the Haydn Austro-Hungarian 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 Haydn Austro-Hungarian 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*, performed with the London Philharmonic Orchestra, won the 1989 Premio Italia, the Royal Philharmonic Society Award, and the Charles Heidsieck Award for BBC Radio/TV/Video.