Dirk Kaftan has been General Music Director of the Beethoven Orchestra Bonn and the Bonn Opera since summer 2017. Dirk Kaftan’s repertoire is broad and ranges from stormily celebrated Beethoven symphonies to Nono’s »Intolleranza 1960«, from the »Merry Widow« to intercultural projects. Dirk Kaftan is a welcome guest at major theatres, most recently with the Bruckner Orchestra Linz, the Ensemble Modern and with a highly acclaimed »Tristan« at the Hanover State Opera. He has staged productions at the Volksoper in Vienna and the Royal Opera in Copenhagen and conducted series of performances in Berlin and Dresden. In 2016 he conducted Miroslav Srnka’s »Make No Noise« at the Bregenz Festival.

For all the joy of guest conducting, Dirk Kaftan’s focus is always on the work in his own house, in the care of the ensemble, but also in the engagement with the choir and orchestra. This professional view, which grew out of the Kapellmeister tradition, has accompanied him since his first positions, but also during his work as General Music Director in Augsburg and Graz. His work is appreciated by audiences and critics alike, and his CDs have been highly praised.

»Approaching people«, »joining forces«: This is important to the Bonn General Music Director, and it is reflected in his work. Whether in dealing with musicians or in contact with the audience: Dirk Kaftan wishes that music is always perceived as an essential part of life: It is an invitation to think and do something with it.