RAFAEL PAYARE recently came to international attention by winning the 2012 Malko Competition in Copenhagen. Since he began his formal conducting studies in 2004 with José Antonio Abreu, Rafael has developed a flourishing career, having conducted all the major orchestras in Venezuela including the Simón Bolívar Orchestra both in Caracas and in Toronto as part of their 2009 Canadian tour. Maestro Abreu remains Rafael’s principal conducting mentor.

As an assistant conductor, he has worked under Gustavo Dudamel, most notably for his co-production of “Carmen” with the Teatro alla Scala, as well as for the Simón Bolívar Orchestra’s 2010 European tour. Rafael also served as assistant conductor to Claudio Abbado for his performance of Tchaikovsky’s Sixth Symphony with the Simón Bolívar Orchestra.

In August 2010, Daniel Barenboim personally invited him to observe his rehearsals with the West-Eastern Divan Orchestra in preparation for their international tour, and Rafael was selected to participate in Bernard Haitink’s Luzern master-classes in April 2011 and March 2012..

In the coming seasons, Rafael will debut with the Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra, Orchestre National du Capitole de Toulouse, RTE National Symphony Orchestra and the Orquesta Palau de les Arts in Valencia.