Journal 2013.2014Die jährliche Hauszeitschrift der Konzertdirektion

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The conductor Alain Altinoglu is a regular guest at leading opera houses such as the
Metropolitan Opera and the Vienna State Opera as well as in Paris, Zurich, Munich, and
Berlin. He has also had very successful appearances at concert halls throughout the
world, working with such distinguished orchestras as the Dresden Staatskapelle, the
Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra, Zurich’s Tonhalle Orchestra, the Chicago Symphony
Orchestra, and all the major orchestras in Paris. During the 2013 / 2014 season, Alain
Altinoglu makes his debut with the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra and the
Vienna Symphony Orchestra. He lives in Paris with mezzo-soprano Nora Gubisch. They
have a young son. We are delighted that Alain Altinoglu has now signed to the Konzertdirektion
Schmid for general management.
1. How do you define success?
Being French, I understand this word in 2 ways:
a) The achievement, the musical achievement: after having worked hard, the achieved
result matches the imagined result.
b) Being successful, having fans, etc. That’s the lovely icing on the cake, but never the
aim. It can be dangerous judging yourself on these merits, because it can lead you to
think that you are good!
2. A formative musical experience?
Conducting the great orchestras, singers or soloists is formative, and teaches a lot.
I think there’s always something to learn; every day, everywhere.
3. The most beautiful concert hall?
I would say the Musikverein; but I would also add the Teatro Colon of Buenos Aires for
its incredible acoustics.
4. A work worth discovering?
La Tragédie de Salomé by Florent Schmitt, Thérèse by Massenet, and so many others!
10 Questions to ...
Alain
Altinoglu
5. Which artist from the past would you have liked to meet, and
what would you have done together?
Leonard Bernstein: We would have a glass of whisky and then play piano for four
hands!
6. How do you prepare for a performance?
I usually have a little nap in the afternoon, take a shower, and then I’m ready to go!
7. If I had not become a musician, I would have been …
… most likely a scientist.
8. What makes you happy?
Many things … my son’s smile.
9. your most interesting travel experience?
Maybe taking the night train to Venice from Paris with my wife: the colours of the sky
and the city in the early morning, when you look through the window upon arrival, are
just amazing.
10. A motto or quotation that accompanies you?
I like the French maxim “Liberté, Égalité, Fraternité”.