AYRTON DESIMPELAERE Chef d'orchestre/pianiste
AYRTON DESIMPELAERE Conductor/Pianist
27.05.25 - Teatro.it - Manon Lescaut - SNG Opera in Balet Ljubljana
Manon Lescaut a Lubiana: l’eleganza di Puccini nella direzione di Desimpelaere
A fundamental asset that this Manon Lescaut by Puccini, currently on stage at the Slovenian National Theatre in Ljubljana, undoubtedly possesses is an orchestra that is not only agile and precise but also capable of “singing” in an admirable way. Much of the credit goes to its conductor, 35-year-old Belgian Ayrton Desimpelaere — principal conductor of this very active Slovenian theatre since 2022 — who offers a highly narrative interpretation, marked by exquisite dramatic continuity, recreating a refined theatrical atmosphere with a flow that feels almost symphonic.
His conducting is rich in precious orchestral colours, beautiful musical details, subtle nuances, and sonic softness. It is also distinguished by a wide range of dynamics — the dolcissimo and espressivo markings in the score are all scrupulously respected — as well as by those subtle agogic hesitations that are indispensable for fully capturing the essence of Puccini’s score."
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23.05.25 - Sigledal.org - Manon Lescaut - SNG Opera in Balet Ljubljana
"The musical aspect of the performance was led by the excellent Ayrton Desimpelaere, who revealed to the fullest the truly outstanding abilities of the Ljubljana Opera orchestra, as well as its choir, which is prepared by Željka Ulčnik Remic. Both ensembles sounded completely cohesive and, with their technical perfection and expressiveness, created a harmonious and colourful musical environment for the stage action, while offering solid support to the soloists, whose demanding roles largely depend on the orchestra’s complete readiness and on strong communication with the conductor."
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21.05.25 - Opera Online - Manon Lescaut - SNG Opera in Balet Ljubljana
"The conductor Ayrton Desimpelaere, originally from Belgium, at the podium of the Ljubljana Opera Orchestra, manages to create delicate tonal paintings, a wealth of colors, a wide range of emotions, and also an emotionally gripping intensity."
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28.04.25 - La Voce (Croatia) - Cinderella | Prokofiev-Mujić - HNK Rijeka
A new fantastic review (in italian) about our show ! Excited for tonight for another performance
"Ayrton Desimpelaere, dal podio, la interpreta con una sensibilità rara, cogliendo ogni sfumatura con intelligenza e finezza, respirando insieme ai ballerini, integrandosi con la loro danza. Il Maestro belga evita ogni tentazione di melassa sentimentale, preferendo una tenerezza forte, virile, che sa quando cullare e quando squassare. L’Orchestra sinfonica fiumana ha risposto con una prova superba, in cui le sfumature orchestrali, dal timbro brunito degli archi alla brillantezza smaltata dei fiati, hanno restituito tutta la complessità della partitura."
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28.04.25 - Novilist (Croatia) - Cinderella | Prokofiev-Mujić - HNK Rijeka
"The Rijeka Symphony Orchestra also takes part in the performance under the direction of Ayrton Desimpelaere, a young conductor with a formidable temperament who led the performance in a very expressive and somewhat nervous manner. The result is a dynamic performance that does not lack power, and there is no risk of overpowering the stage, so everything is actually very good. The orchestra seemed compact, well-rehearsed in all sections, and faithfully conveyed parts of Prokofiev's not-so-easy score (concertmasters Vivijana Rogina and Osman Eyublu)"
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25.02.2025 - Il Criticone - Hamlet I Tchaikovsky/Saint-Saëns - Mujić - SNG Opera in Balet Ljubljana
"Questa operetta di Johann Strauss jr è giustamente un capolavoro. A cominciare dall'ouverture che sciorina gran parte dei temi che ascolteremo nel corso dei tre atti e che già da sola è un'opera d'arte compiuta. Se poi, alla guida dell'orchestra, troviamo Ayrton Desimpelaere, direttore principale dell'Orchestra della SNG di Lubiana, siamo in una botte di ferro! Ayrton, conferma la sua grande attenzione al palcoscenico, ai solisti quindi ma anche al coro e ai danzatori, senza per questo tralasciare di dare la propria raffinata lettura di Strauss: via i clamori bandistici, si a respiri e corone, grande spazio agli archi per farci scoprire toni di Strauss insolitamente delicati e poetici."
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23.01.2025 - Il Criticone - Die Fledermaus - SNG Opera in Balet Ljubljana
"Questo Hamlet reggeva su diversi brani di Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky e Camille Saint-Saëns che Ayrton Desimpelaere ha saputo leggere e guidare con la sensibilità e l'intelligenza che lo contraddistingue da quando ho avuto modo di iniziare a sentirlo dirigere. L'Orchestra della SNG di Lubiana ha suonato con massima attenzione e cura, anche perché in questo caso la musica non è trascurabile come quando si parla di autori tipici del repertorio ballettistico e dei pastiches ottocenteschi. Toccante e perfetto l'assolo violinistico di Jelena Pejić".
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19.05.2024 - Trieste Prima - Giselle - Teatro Verdi Trieste
"S’insinua alla perfezione in tale quadro il maestro Ayrton Desimpelaere. Con eleganza e acutezza coglie vari aspetti e nuance della partitura, mettendo nettamente in rilievo le distinte atmosfere e sensazioni di entrambi gli atti. Il fraseggio è curato al punto di rendersi un elemento organico del gesto dei ballerini, osservati e seguiti scrupolosamente dal podio. Straordinariamente efficaci risultano le prolungate sospensioni di suono che accentuano e amplificano la dimensione irreale del pas de deux nella foresta incantata. E se Desimpelaere sembra respirare insieme ai due protagonisti - secondo il dettato del pentagramma e del filo narrativo -, l’impressione vale anche al contrario."
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15.05.2024 - Il Criticone - Giselle - Teatro Verdi Trieste
"Il direttore d'orchestra Ayrton Desimpelaere è il Direttore che tutti noi danzatori avremmo voluto e vorremmo avere: respira assieme ai Primi ballerini, segue e conosce la coreografia, rallentando e appoggiando dove serve, oltre ad aver riletto dei dettagli e dei colori della partitura che non avevo mai sentito prima..."
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24.04.2024 - Reporter - Giselle - SNG Opera in Balet Ljubljana
"The orchestra was led by the house conductor Ayrton Desimpelaere, who prepared and conducted it excellently (concert master Gregor Traven). Desimpelaere led the orchestra with fairy-tale ease, with exceptional precision, assisting the dancers in their movements, jumps, and shaping the orchestra's tempo according to their rhythm and play. With proper emphasis on the orchestra's sound itself, he contributed to the dancers' performance and helped build the dramaturgical arc of the content."
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________24.01.2024 - Sigledal - Werther - SNG Opera in Balet Ljubljana
La musique originale, pittoresque et fortement expressive de Massenet est toujours plaisante, mais jamais banale. Avec son pouvoir expressif, enveloppé dans une luxueuse orchestration, elle guide efficacement le déroulement de l'intrigue, mettant en évidence l'arc dramatique de l'histoire. Le jeune mais exceptionnellement expérimenté et respecté chef d'orchestre Ayrton Desimpelaere a dirigé brillamment l'orchestre à travers une interprétation dynamique, riche en contrastes de tempo et en accents dramatiques, tout en équilibrant habilement les rôles solistes avec le son de l'orchestre."
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19.01.2024 - Opera Online - Werther - SNG Opera in Balet Ljubljana
Der erst 33-jährige, belgische Dirigent Ayrton Desimpelaere vermag mit vollem gestischem Einsatz beim Orchester des Laibacher Opernhauses, das manchmal bei den Streichern etwas dünn klingt, das sinnliche Orchesterkolorit der subtilen Partitur auszureizen. Packender Spannungsreichtum wird ebenso erzeugt wie ein Fassettenreichtum bis zu feinsten Pianissimi."
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19.01.2024 - Di tanti pulpiti - Werther - SNG Opera in Balet Ljubljana
"In linea con la regia mi è sembrata la direzione di Ayrton Desimpelaere, circostanza che è sempre un ottimo viatico per la buona riuscita di una rappresentazione operistica.
Il giovane direttore non indugia troppo in sentimentalismi zuccherosi e privilegia invece una virile tendresse mettendo in primo piano la narrazione teatrale, sottolineando i cromatismi della partitura ma sempre con colori tenui, in modo che le pennellate di suono più enfatico nei momenti più marcatamente drammatici spicchino vividamente. Le agogiche sono stringenti ma non precipitose o superficiali sin dall’Ouverture, grande affresco della passione tumultuosa del protagonista. La struttura quasi cameristica (il Clair de Lune che chiude il primo atto, per esempio) di certe scene viene esaltata anche grazie all’ottima prova dell’Orchestra del Teatro dell’Opera di Lubiana, eccellente in particolare negli archi e nei legni. Buona anche la prestazione del coro e dei ragazzi del coro di voci bianche.
Il piccolo e bellissimo teatro era pieno e il folto pubblico ha decretato un trionfo straordinario a tutta la compagnia artistica, con l’applausometro fuori scala per Aljaž Farasin, Nuška Drašček e il direttore Ayrton Desimpelaere"
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9.10.2023 - Musica - Concert Symphonique - Teatro Verdi Trieste
"C’è qualcosa di nuovo, anzi di molto antico: un risveglio di curiosità indotto da un certo rinnovamento nella programmazione e nella “fruizione”. Segnali di cambiamento negli schemi consueti del concerto. Come in queste due serate della stagione sifonica triestina. Nella prima la sorpresa di un direttore come il giovane Ayrton Desimpelaere, di cui era stata apprezzata la presenza sul podio nella scorsa stagione in occasione del Romeo e Giulietta di Prokofiev con il balletto di Lubiana (spesso però dei direttori delle compagnie di balletto in trasferta si nota più il supporto “di servizio” che il talento) al quale è stato affidato il programma “ad assetto variato”del concerto. Tra la natura timbrica del Magnificat di Berio (con la vocalità astrale di Veronica Foia, Giulia Diomede e coro) e Ein Heldenleben, ovvero il sinfonismo della magnificenza assoluta, si inseriva, protagonista eccentrico rispetto alla norma della serata classica, il sassofono lussuoso di Federico Mondelci con la quasi impertinente invenzione primonovecentesca dei coevi Glazunov e Milhaud. E proprio nella saldezza di sviluppo, nella campitura visionaria e nella profondità di respiro del poema di Strauss è emersa sorprendente la personalità del direttore belga."
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30.09.2023 - Di tanti pulpiti - Concert Symphonique - Teatro Verdi Trieste
[Glazounov] Nel primo brano, strutturato in quattro movimenti, l’artista [Federico Mondelci] ha cesellato dinamiche preziose e virtuosismi che hanno descritto il carattere mutevole di una pagina che è malinconica e al contempo brillante, palesando anche un’ottima intesa con l’orchestra d’archi ben diretta da Ayrton Desimpelaere.
[Milhaud] Molto “francese” il secondo movimento, in cui l’atmosfera si è colorata di sfumature che sapevano di volute di fumo e aromi di eccellenti alcolici.
[Strauss] L’orchestra, imponente e rafforzata opportunamente nell’organico, è stata guidata con grande maturità da Ayrton Desimpelaere a una prova maiuscola e buona parte del merito, oltre che ai professori d’orchestra, va proprio al giovane direttore: è facile ascoltare composizioni straussiane ridotte a mera esibizione muscolare, una specie di magma sonoro in cui protagonista è l’indistinguibile. La musica di Strauss non è questo, anzi, sono proprio i particolari a renderla speciale.
In questo senso la trasparenza e la limpidezza di suono sono state le caratteristiche che più hanno colpito dell’interpretazione di Desimpelaere il quale, pur non rinunciando a dinamiche importanti, ha saputo trovare equilibrio e passo narrativo scorrevole.
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24.03.2023 - Primorski dnevnik - Romeo and Juliet (Prokofiev/Zanella) - Teatro Verdi Trieste
Electric energy of the orchestra
A whole and very beautiful chapter belongs to the Trieste orchestra, which Belgian conductor Ayrton Desimpelaere has brought to a musicality combining high technicality and electric energy: the brass instruments have exploited their potential without restraint, this time in the right sense of the word, because the strength of the score sometimes requires an almost wild, almost unrestrained interpretation that leads to moments of overwhelming emotion. At the same time, the conductor and the orchestra have created magnificent scenes, from the mandolins accompanying the trumpets to the countless details that have been carefully designed musically and confirmed the excellent level of the soloists in all sections. The large and enchanting romantic phrases have also bathed the whole in a warm and pleasant atmosphere. In short, nothing to do with routine performances in which the orchestra plays a completely subordinate role.
Enthusiastic applause and cheers resounded for a long time on the stage of Trieste, loudly applauding the two protagonists, as well as the choreographer and conductor, who shared the success with the orchestra.
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18.04.2022 - Le Soir - Sinfonia Eroïca (Beethoven/De Mey) - Opéra Royal de Wallonie-Liège/Astragales
Thirty-two years after its creation, Michèle Anne De Mey presents a new version of her masterpiece, where live music adds to the general excitement.
On the eve of the premiere, Michèle Anne De Mey wondered if the audience would be present for the re-creation of Sinfonia Eroica at the Opera Royal de Wallonie. The answer was clear during the two unique evenings scheduled on Easter weekend: an almost full house and thunderous applause at the end of the performance. The risky bet paid off handsomely.
Because that's the main novelty of this 2022 version: for the first time, Beethoven's Heroic Symphony is performed live under the baton of Ayrton Desimpelaere...
When the action begins, the energy and enthusiasm that burst forth during the original 1990 production are instantly rediscovered. But, in addition, there is the power and precision of the "live" orchestra. On stage, the grand ensemble movements, games, challenges, races, and slides along the wire that spans the entire space resurface as if by magic. There is nothing dated about it. On the contrary, the piece seems younger than ever, as the nine performers have fully embraced it. This is evident in certain solos, duets, and trios, which are imbued with their individual personalities. It is also reflected in the dynamic of the show, boosted by the orchestra.
While recordings are used for some musical moments (solo piano, Jimi Hendrix's "Foxy Lady," fanfare, etc.), the breath of the "live" music adds extra vitality and enjoyment to the whole. The team also plays with this element. One dancer commands, "Maestro! The contra dance!" Another apologizes to the musicians while cutting off the recorded tape that interrupted their performance. A third rushes to the conductor, who perfectly plays along, to stop the orchestra, as one of the dancers is still engaged in other activities.
And one thinks that this 2022 Sinfonia Eroica could embark on a new extensive tour.
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21.03.2022 - Sigledal - Faust - SNG Opera in ballet Ljubljana
"All the ensembles, including the highly prepared orchestra, were conducted and brought together into a homogeneous and coherent whole by the young Belgian conductor Ayrton Desimpelaere, who is remarkably versatile and already internationally renowned. The choir members, prepared by Zeljka Ulcnik Remic, deserve special praise for their impressive sound and their ability to move on stage, which greatly contributed to making this performance a magnificent portrayal of human destiny."
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21.03.2022 - Opera Online - Faust - SNG Opera in ballet Ljubljana
"Delikat, mit vielen, sensiblen Zwischentönen und viel Pianokultur aber auch packender Dramatik hört man das Orchester der Laibacher Oper unter dem Dirigenten Ayrton Desimpelaere."
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27.09.2019 - Arts et lettres - Madama Butterfly - Opéra Royal de Wallonie
"Directing this tear moving opera in Liège Royal Opera , it is fabulous Speranza Scappucci, who has been its musical director since 2017. But on September 22nd, she kindly lent her passionate baton to young Belgian Ayrton Desimpelaere, the talented assistant conductor at the Royal Opera of Wallonia-Liège. He is also a young professor at the IMEP and a fine musicologist. While his impressive career started about 15 years ago, and he has just been awarded the 2019 Walloon Merit Medal.
Given the golden opportunity to display his flourishing talent in Puccini’s fantastic opera, Ayrton Desimpelaere directed a particularly emotional Madama Butterfly. He demonstrated his perfect knowledge of th masterwokk, igniting a wide range of feelings among the cast and the audience. All themes were clearly highlighted with dense expressiveness. One could easily recognize the various moods, either identical or developed with delicate changes of orchestration according to the careful dramatic advance. His lyrical dedication outlined each character very accurately. The presence of Pinkerton, who broadly represents the colonialism of the Western world and the superiority of dominant white males, came up with ironic strains of the American hymn and some jazzy zest. It offered a vivid contrast with the numerous oriental elements seasoned in Puccini’s score that embody the Japanese soul."
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18.03.2019 - Seen and Heard International - Aïda - Opéra Royal de Wallonie
Baptism by Fire for Conductor Ayrton Desimpelaere in Opéra Royal de Wallonie-Liège’s Aida
"One week you are savoring the artistry of Nello Santi in Zurich in the twilight of his career, and the next you’re cheering on a young conductor who stepped in at the last minute and triumphed. Speranza Scappucci, the Musical Director of the Opéra Royal de Wallonie-Liège, was scheduled to conduct this performance of Aida, but he withdrew at the last minute due to health reasons. Ayrton Desimpelaere, less than a third the age of Santi, stepped in and rose to the occasion.
The young Belgian is the company’s assistant conductor, but it was still a baptism by fire as it was his first time conducting the opera. Some passages were perhaps slower than usual, but that made for an especially graceful Temple Scene, enhanced by Michèle Anne De Mey’s subtle choreography and the fine singing of the men in the chorus. The Triumphal March was well-paced, and in Act III when the cast jelled, there was electricity in the air. The ovation that Desimpelaere received when he took his bow was richly deserved."
This, however, was Desimpelaere’s night. Many were in his corner, especially the chorus and orchestra, those who know him best. This critic was too.cast jelled, there was electricity in the air. The ovation that Desimpelaere received when he took his bow was richly deserved."
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18.03.2019 - Olyrix - Don Quichotte - Opéra Royal de Wallonie
"Le jeune chef Ayrton Desimpelaere dirige l’orchestre de l’IMEP (Institut supérieur de musique et de pédagogie de Namur) et les interventions de la salle d’un geste sûr et esthétique, encourageant les enfants dans leur découverte artistique. La réduction de l’effectif met en valeur la gravité des contrebasses et la mélancolie des altos et violoncelles, le chant gracieux des ûtes et hautbois, ainsi que les airs festifs des cuivres."
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05.11.2018 - Toutelaculture.com - Il Matrimonio segreto - Opéra Royal de Wallonie
"Dans la fosse, Ayrton Desimpelaere, assistant de Speranza Scappucci qui dirige, à vingt-huit ans, sa première grande production lyrique sur une scène d’envergure, impulse une vitalité communicative relayée par le clavecin volubile de Hilary Caine, prompt aux anachronismes hilarants dans ses récitatifs émaillés de la Marche d’Aïdaou de la Chevauchée des Walkyries. Au-delà du trac perceptible de la baguette et de redondances zygomatiques, on ne pourra que saluer l’initiative liégeoise de faire revivre une partition devenue plus rare à l’affiche ces dernières décennies."
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27.10.2018 - Opera-Online - Il Matrimonio segreto - Opéra Royal de Wallonie
"En ce qui concerne la partie musicale, c’est un plaisir garanti que de retrouver la musique de Cimarosa, pétillante, mousseuse, d’un rythme échevelé, moderne dans sa conception, avec ses finales impressionnants. Il faut beaucoup de talent, et une précision sans faille, pour jouer cet opéra, des qualités que le tout jeune chef belge Ayrton Desimpelaere (28 ans !), assistant musical de Speranza Scappucci ici-même, et le formidable Orchestre de l’Opéra Royal de Wallonie-Liège ont à revendre ! Il faut également citer le clavecin de Hilary Caine, aussi facétieux qu’anachronique, puisqu’il se permet de citer (dans certains récitatifs) des passages d’œuvres célèbres telles les Trompettes d’Aïda ou la Chevauchée des Walkyries !"
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________27.10.2018 - Arts et lettres - Il Matrimonio segreto - Opéra Royal de Wallonie
"Mais revenons à ce jeune chef que les médias encensent à chaque occasion, depuis qu’il a pris son envol à Moscou lors de la demi-finale piano du « Concours international Tchaikovsky » en 2015 où il a dirigé les « Solistes de Moscou ». Nous avons eu le plaisir de le voir diriger avec brio l’opéra participatif Jeune Public « la flûte Enchantée » de Mozart en début d’année, et une création : « Folon » de Nicolas Campogrande , en mars dernier. Lors de cette première de l’opéra « Il matrimonio segreto », Ayrton de Simpelaere a pleinement réussi le défi qu’on lui offrait, faisant preuve d’une grande maîtrise de la balance, d’une concentration et d’une précision extraordinaires dans son interprétation musicale. ... Une habitude ancrée dans l’exigence personnelle. Dès l’ouverture, les dynamiques se créent comme par enchantement, le velouté des vents raconte les effusions de joie, la finesse des cordes est omniprésente, les accents, les legatos, s’enchaînent avec grâce. Le grain de la musique est lisse et lumineux. Une ouverture avec trois mesures de Flûte enchantée et le reste est bonheur. Flying colours aussi pour la direction des solistes dont la diction est un véritable délice. La palette de ses couleurs orchestrales aligne chaque nouveau climat sur les couleurs et les voix rutilantes des personnages."
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25.10.2018 - Crescendo Magazine - Il Matrimonio segreto - Opéra Royal de Wallonie
"Ayrton Desimpelaere a décidé de diriger l’œuvre de manière classique (et non baroque comme la plupart des enregistrements disponibles), mélangé à un style préromantique. Cette interprétation éclectique n’est pas anodine : elle nous rappelle les couleurs des Noces de Mozart ainsi que du Bel Canto de Rossini, comme le définissent si bien les musicologues. L’orchestre a parfaitement suivi le chef du début à la fin de l’œuvre, bien qu’il ait mis du temps à dévoiler tout son potentiel dans l’ouverture."
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23.10.2018 - Le Soir - Il Matrimonio segreto - Opéra Royal de Wallonie