Marc Albrecht (born 1964) is a German conductor resident in The Netherlands. He was chief conductor of theDutch National Opera, theNetherlands Chamber Orchestra, and theNetherlands Philharmonic Orchestra from 2009 to 2020.
Born inHanover,Lower Saxony,West Germany, Albrecht is the son of the conductorGeorge Alexander Albrecht and Corinne Albrecht, formerly a ballet dancer who became a physiotherapist. He is a first cousin ofUrsula von der Leyen (née Albrecht).[1] Albrecht studied music with his father. Albrecht has served as an assistant toClaudio Abbado with theGustav Mahler Jugendorchester, and an assistant conductor toGerd Albrecht (no relation) at theHamburg State Opera.
From 1995 to 2001, Albrecht was music director of theStaatstheater Darmstadt. From 2001 to 2004, he was first guest conductor with theDeutsche Oper Berlin. He became artistic adviser of theOrchestre philharmonique de Strasbourg (Strasbourg Philharmonic Orchestra) in 2005, and music director in 2008. With the Strasbourg Philharmonic, he has conducted commercial recordings for the Pentatone label, including orchestral lieder ofAlban Berg and piano concertos byRobert Schumann andAntonín Dvořák.[2] He concluded his Strasbourg tenure in 2011.
Albrecht made his first conducting appearance at theDutch National Opera in September 2008 withDie Frau ohne Schatten. In March 2009, he was named chief conductor of theNetherlands Chamber Orchestra,Netherlands Philharmonic Orchestra, and Dutch National Opera, effective with the 2011-2012 season. His initial contract was for four years.[3][4] In May 2016, the orchestra announced the extension of Albrecht's contract through the 2019-2020 season.[5] He stood down from all three of these chief conductorships at the end of the 2019-2020 season.[6] He has led commercial recordings with the Netherlands Philharmonic and the Netherlands Opera for the Pentatone label.[7][8]
In October 2024, Albrecht first guest-conducted theAntwerp Symphony Orchestra. In February 2025, the orchestra announced the appointment of Albrecht as its next chief conductor, effective with the 2026–2027 season.[9] Albrecht is scheduled to take the title of chief conductor-designate for the 2025–2026 season.[10]
Albrecht maintains a residence in Amsterdam. His wife is an opera singer, and the couple have a son.[11]
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| Preceded by | Generalmusikdirektor, Staatstheater Darmstadt 1995-2001 | Succeeded by Stefan Blunier |
| Preceded by Jan-Latham Koenig | Music Director, Strasbourg Philharmonic Orchestra 2008-2011 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Chief Conductor, Netherlands Chamber Orchestra 2011-2020 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Chief Conductor, Netherlands Philharmonic Orchestra 2011-2020 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Chief Conductor, Dutch National Opera 2011-2020 | Succeeded by |
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