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Cristian Măcelaru

conductor

About this Artist

Winner of the 2014 Solti Conducting Award, CRISTIAN MĂCELARU has established himself as one of the fast-rising stars of the conducting world. With every concert he displays an exciting and highly regarded presence, thoughtful interpretations, and energetic conviction on the podium. Cristian came to public attention in February 2012 when he conducted the Chicago Symphony Orchestra as a replacement for Pierre Boulez in performances met with critical acclaim. Since then, he has conducted that orchestra on subscription in three consecutive seasons. 

Conductor-in-Residence of the Philadelphia Orchestra, Cristian made an unexpected subscription debut with the Philadelphia Orchestra in April 2013. Since then, he has conducted Philadelphia on four subscription programs and leads a subscription program this season.

The 2015/2016 season sees Măcelaru make his Lincoln Center debut at the Mostly Mozart Festival in August and his New York Philharmonic debut on an all-Rachmaninoff subscription program in November. He returns on subscription to the Chicago Symphony, Philadelphia Orchestra, Los Angeles Philharmonic, and the National Symphony Orchestra in D.C. Internationally, he makes debuts with the Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin, Frankfurt Radio Symphony Orchestra, Rotterdam Philharmonic, City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, Royal Scottish National Orchestra, RTE National Symphony Orchestra of Dublin, Tokyo Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra, Atlanta Symphony, Cincinnati Symphony, Minnesota Orchestra, National Arts Centre Orchestra, New World Symphony, and San Diego Symphony.

Also a keen opera conductor, in June 2015 Cristian made his Cincinnati Opera debut in highly acclaimed performances of Il Trovatore. In 2010, he made his operatic debut with the Houston Grand Opera in Madama Butterfly and led the U.S. premiere of Colin Matthews’ Turning Point with the Tanglewood Music Center Orchestra.

An accomplished violinist from an early age, Cristian was the youngest concertmaster in the history of the Miami Symphony Orchestra and made his Carnegie Hall debut with that orchestra at the age of 19. He also played in the first violin section of the Houston Symphony for two seasons.

Cristian formerly held the position of Resident Conductor at Rice University’s Shepherd School of Music, where he was Music Director of the Campanile Orchestra, Assistant Conductor to Larry Rachleff, and Conductor for the Opera Department. A proponent of music education, he has served as a conductor with the Houston Youth Symphony, where he also initiated a successful chamber music program. As Founder and Artistic Director of the Crisalis Music Project, Cristian spearheaded a program in which young musicians perform in a variety of settings side-by-side with established artists.  

Cristian Măcelaru lives in Philadelphia with his wife Cheryl and children Beniamin and Maria.