Ulster Orchestra welcomes renowned Dutch conductor

Van Steen, who hails from the Netherlands, has worked with top orchestras and opera companies throughout the UK and Europe. He also holds a place on the Faculty of the Royal Conservatory of Music and Dance in The Hague.

Van Steen was previously Principal Guest Conductor with the BBC National Orchestra of Wales, Chief Conductor & Music Director of the New Berlin Chamber Orchestra and Chief Conductor with the Nuremberg Symphony, Staatskapelle Weimar Orchestras and Musikkollegium Winterthur. He was also appointed General Music Director with the Dortmund Philharmonic Orchestra and Opera.

Maestro van Steen said that he is delighted to take on the role of Principal Guest Conductor alongside the Ulster Orchestra’s new Chief Conductor, Rafael Payare. He stated: “Since my first visit to the Ulster Orchestra some years back, I felt the open, communicative and warm attitude of my colleagues in the orchestra in combination with a high quality of work-ethic.

“The Ulster Hall is a wonderful environment to support this and the Northern Irish audience is both knowledgeable and discerning – the people simply deserve the best and that’s what we will bring to them.”

The Ulster Orchestra’s Head of External Relations, Veronica Morris, continued: “Jac is the perfect combination of a masterful and insightful conductor and a warm and perceptive colleague. He believes in the Ulster Orchestra and is passionate about bringing classical music to life for everyone, especially young people.”

Chief Executive of the Arts Council of Northern Ireland Roisin McDonough added: “Jac van Steen’s reputation as a dynamic and diverse conductor of exceptional talent is already well established.”

and undoubtedly the Orchestra will flourish under his guest direction. We encourage everyone to take up the opportunity to experience the talents of both Jac and the Ulster Orchestra in the new concert season.”