BIOGRAPHY

Since a long time the name of Peter Hirsch has guaranteed intensive explorations in the field of music theatre as well as extraordinary, dramaturgically well-balanced concert programmes. He is especially interested in theatre, philosophy and architecture and their influence on music.

Born in Cologne. After his studies in Cologne - piano with Alfons Kontarsky, conducting with W. von der Nahmer - he became assistent to M.Gielen at the Opera Frankfurt. From 1984-87 he was First Kapellmeister there. In this time he conducted the world première of H.Zender‘s first opera „Stephen Climax“. Among the many opera productions of those and the following years - a.o. in Vancouver; Welsh National Opera; Staatsoper unter den Linden, Berlin; Nedelandse Opera, Amsterdam (reconstruction of the original version of Berlioz‘ „Benvenuto Cellini“) - his collaboration with Jürgen Gosch led to exemplary and highly praised productions of Mozart‘s „Figaro“ (Opera Frankfurt) and „Cosi fan tutte“ (Scottish Opera).

1985 first encounter and co-operation with Luigi Nono: world première of „Prometeo“ in Milano, which Hirsch conducted alternately with C.Abbado; 1986: world première of „Risonanze Erranti“ in Cologne. Since then Hirsch has constantly been promoting the works of Nono - cf. his editing and première of the posthumous fragment „Julius Fucik“ in 2006 with Munich Philharmonic. His dealing with the musical avant-garde (he has premiered numerous works, besides Nono those by B.A.Zimmermann, H.Lachenmann, K.Ospald, H.Zender, G.-F.Haas, M.André a.o.) made him always seek the old in the new. He has been regular guest a.o. with BBC Scottish and Northern Ireland, Bournemouth Symphony, Resdentie Orkest, The Hague, Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France, Orchestre Philharmonique de

Luxembourg, Orchestre National de Belgique, Brussels, Philharmonia Orchestra London, Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra, almost all German Radio Orchestras, Berne Symphony, Camerata Salzburg, Munich Philharmonic, Deutsche Oper am Rhein Düsseldorf as well as Klangforum Vienna,Ensemble modern, Collegium Zurich, Ensemble Contrechamps, Geneva. His discography as well as his programmatic interest is focussed on Schubert, Bruckner, Mahler, Zemlinsky, Second Vienna School, Janacek, Dallapiccola, B.A.Zimmermann and L.Nono.

He is member of the Bayerische Akademie der Schönen Künste. His books are being published by Wolke-Verlag.