Arne Döpke

Thank you Zeke for the unforgettable moments when you, Sindre and I were rehearsing Lohengrin on my couch in Cologne, before we went to see the opera. Andreas and I had the first chance to see you conduct in Rheinsberg. we stopped at my parents’ for a short visit in Rosbach and they were fascinated…

September 2004: first time I met you, joyfully welcoming me at Dartmouth. January 2020: last time I hugged you, after celebrating my mother’s Befana in Italy. In between, too much for now, but I’ll share more. I’m shocked and I cry. Romeo is not informed, but he asked me: “Mamma, hai bisogno di un’abbracciatona?”. I’m splitting it…

Christopher guest conducted the Surrey Mozart Players on 7 December 2019 for a performance of Brahms Variations on a Theme by Haydn, Rodrigo Concierto de Aranjuez with Giacomo Susani as soloist and Schubert Symphony no. 3 at the Electric Theatre in Guildford.  Christopher delighted us with his infectious enthusiasm, charisma, warmth and humour, and conscientious and…

Christopher entered our lives last year when he came to Norfolk to conduct the Yorke Trust’s summer opera, The Tempest. On our journey from the station when he told me the choristers would be singing the opera choruses from memory, it didn’t seem achievable. I soon discovered that through Chris’ absolute belief in peoples’ abilities,…

Christopher was a remarkable RCM student, with a rare ability to inspire others.  His was a radiant personality, with a musical talent to match.  We worked together on a Mozart project in his final year; he was insightful and passionate.  Deepest condolences from the entire College community.  From the RCM Director

I haven’t seen Chris since we graduated from high school but I have clear memories of his kind, sincere character.  We were in the orchestra together and I was always impressed with the way he approached music.  I knew he experienced the music in a way that I did not.  But, he was always supportive….