Cellist Alban Gerhardt performs in the first of a series of concerts with Duisburger Philharmoniker as he takes up the position of Artist in Residence with the ensemble for the 2023/24 season. Starting with a performance of his Phantasy in Blue programme with Alliage Quintett on 22 October, Alban returns on 28 and 29 February 2024 for orchestral concerts and a duo recital with Markus Becker on 5 May 2024; all the concerts will take place in Duisburg’s Mercatorhalle.

The residency will see Alban engage in a series of outreach events across the city, performing in public spaces, schools, care homes and prisons as he seeks to engage new audiences. Speaking of the new role, Alban said ​“With such a residency, if you fill it out well, you have the opportunity to leave footprints as a musician. For a certain period of time, you are allowed to play an intensive role in shaping the musical life of a city.”