The new edition of the Colmar International Festival opens with the exceptional presence of the Symphony Orchestra of the Théâtre royal de la Monnaie in Brussels, conducted by Alain Altinoglu. After Wagner’s “Prelude to Lohengrin”, baritone Stéphane Degout sings Mahler’s “Songs of a Wandering Companion”. The evening at the Saint-Matthieu church closes with César Franck’s “Symphony in D minor”, a jewel of the late 19th century repertoire.

_”With Alain Altinoglu, La Monnaie in Brussels has found its messiah”_ — **Le Figaro**
Appointed Music Director of the **HR-Sinfonieorchester Frankfurt** starting in the 2021/22 season, Alain Altinoglu has also served as Music Director of the **Théâtre Royal de la Monnaie** since January 2016. In Brussels, he is widely recognized for his extraordinary leadership, inspiring performances that are both intense and refined.
As a guest conductor, he regularly leads orchestras such as the **Wiener Philharmoniker**, **Berliner Philharmoniker**, **Symphonieorchester des Bayerischen Rundfunks**, **London Symphony Orchestra**, **Chicago Symphony Orchestra**, **Cleveland Orchestra**, **Boston Symphony Orchestra**, **Philadelphia Orchestra**, **Russian National Orchestra**, **Montreal Symphony Orchestra**, **London Philharmonia Orchestra**, **Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra**, **Sächsische Staatskapelle Dresden**, **Rundfunk-Sinfonieorchester Berlin**, **Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin**, **Zürich Tonhalle Orchestra**, as well as all major Parisian orchestras.
Highlights of the 2022/23 season include the opening concerts of the **Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra Amsterdam** and conducting **Verdi’s Aida** at the **Salzburg Festival**.
Altinoglu is also frequently re-invited by the **Münchner Philharmoniker**, the **Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France**, and the **Orchestre de Paris**.
For many years, he has conducted at the world’s leading opera houses, including the **Metropolitan Opera New York**, **Royal Opera House Covent Garden**, **Wiener Staatsoper**, **Opernhaus Zürich**, **Teatro Colón Buenos Aires**, **Deutsche Oper Berlin**, **Staatsoper Unter den Linden**, **Bayerische Staatsoper München**, and all three major Paris opera houses. He is also a regular guest at festivals such as **Salzburg**, **Bayreuth**, **Chorégies d’Orange**, and **Aix-en-Provence**.