Hans Vonk

The distinguished Dutch conductor Hans Vonk assumed the post of Music Director and Conductor in September 1996. A sought-after guest conductor as well, he appears with many of the world's most prestigious orchestras and leads performances at major opera houses in Europe and North America, while also remaining active in the musical life of his native Holland.

Born in Amsterdam, Hans Vonk studied piano at the Amsterdam Conservatory and conducting with Franco Ferrara and Hermann Scherchen. He also studied law at the University of Amsterdam.  Vonk's first conducting appointment was with the Netherlands Ballet from 1966 to 1969. He then became Assistant Conductor of the Concertgebouw Orchestra. He was Chief Conductor of the Netherlands Opera from 1976 to 1985, during which time he was also Conductor of the Netherlands Radio Philharmonic (1973-1979) and Associate Conductor of London's Royal Philharmonic Orchestra (1976-1979). For eleven years, from 1980 to 1991, Vonk was Chief Conductor of the Hague's Residentie Orchestra and toured extensively with that ensemble throughout Europe and the United States. His operatic career also advanced with his debut at La Scala, Milan, in 1980. No stranger to managing multiple appointments, he soon had two more when, in 1985, he became Chief Conductor of both the celebrated Dresden Staatskapelle and the Dresden State Opera. The five years he spent in Dresden were ones of great historical importance and change for the city and included the opening of the new Semper Opera House and the reunification of Germany. He also undertook several major tours, including concerts at the Salzburg and Lucerne Festivals. In 1990 the Netherlands Radio Philharmonic once again sought out Vonk, securing him as Principal Guest Conductor. The following year, he took on yet another title, this time as Chief Conductor of the Cologne Radio Symphony, a capacity in which he served through the end of the 1996-97 season.

In addition to his position with the SLSO and the Netherlands Radio Philharmonic, Vonk has appeared with numerous American ensembles, including the Philadelphia and Cleveland Orchestras, the Boston Symphony, and the Los Angeles and New York Philharmonic Orchestras. Recent engagements include concerts with l'Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France, the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra, the Seattle Symphony Orchestra, the Rotterdam Philharmonic, the NHK Symphony of Japan, and l'Orchestre Philharmonique de Monte-Carlo. He also appeared at the Aspen Music Festival this past summer. During the 2001-2002 season, Vonk's engagements include performances with the Montreal Symphony Orchestra, the Los Angeles Philharmonic, the Atlanta Symphony, the Minnesota Orchestra, l'Orchestre National de Lyon, and the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra. He also returns to the Netherlands Opera to lead performances of Don Giovanni.

On April 17, 2002,  Maestro Hans Vonk volunteered to leave his post as Music Director of the Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra after conducting the final performances of the season in May.  After six seasons in the position, and 36 years as a conductor who has distinguished himself in concert halls all over the world, the Maestro reduced his schedule in St. Louis to deal with health concerns.