Macelaru Appointed Assistant Conductor of Philadelphia Orchestra

Cristian Macelaru has been appointed assistant conductor of The Philadelphia Orchestra, beginning in the 2011-12 season. This appointment is for an initial two years and he will assume full responsibilities in the 2011-12 season, including conducting special non-subscription concerts, and covering concerts for Chief Conductor Charles Dutoit, Music Director Designate Yannick Nézet-Séguin, and many of the guest conductors. A native of Romania, Mr. Macelaru comes to the Orchestra from the Shepherd School of Music at Rice University, where he serves on the conducting staff.

"The musicians were very involved in and supportive of Cristian's appointment," said Harold Robinson, Philadelphia Orchestra principal bass and chair of the Musicians' Artistic Committee. "We were impressed with his skills and personality both on and off the podium. We are looking forward to performing with him in the seasons to come."

"Cristian Macelaru made a very strong connection with our audiences and with the Orchestra over the past year," said Jeremy Rothman, vice president of artistic planning for The Philadelphia Orchestra. "He conducted the Orchestra in several concerts and even stepped in at a moments notice to rehearse a brand new piece the musicians had never seen before. In every case he demonstrated musicality and professionalism."

"I am thrilled at the opportunity to be part of the Philadelphia Orchestra family," said Mr. Macelaru. "The incredible artistic achievements paired with the genuine warmth that exudes from each musician, makes this an extraordinary orchestra. I am deeply honored to be part of this unique organization."

Cristian Macelaru follows in a distinguished but short list of musicians who have served The Philadelphia Orchestra as staff conductors during the past 100-plus years. Rossen Milanov, who has been the Orchestra's associate conductor since 2005 and who previously served as assistant conductor from 2000 to 2005, steps down from his post at the conclusion of the 2010-11 season. Previous staff conductors include: Thaddeus Rich (assistant conductor 1916-26); Artur Rodzinski (assistant conductor 1926-28); Alexander Smallens (assistant conductor 1929-31); Saul Caston (associate conductor 1936-45); Alexander Hilsberg (associate conductor 1945-52); William R. Smith, who served for more than 40 seasons as assistant and then associate conductor, beginning in 1952; and Luis Biava (Conductor in Residence 1994-2004), among others.

Romanian conductor Cristian Macelaru currently serves on the conducting staff of the Shepherd School of Music at Rice University, where he recently completed his Master of Music degree in conducting. In recent seasons he was a conducting fellow at the Tanglewood Music Center and the Aspen Music Festival and served as assistant conductor at Dallas Opera. Earlier this season he made his Houston Grand Opera debut leading performances of Puccini's Madame Butterfly.

While completing his Bachelor of Music degree at the University of Miami, Mr. Macelaru was assistant conductor of the University of Miami Symphony, associate conductor of the Florida Youth Orchestra, conductor and founder of the Clarke Chamber Players, and concertmaster of the Miami Symphony. In 2006 he received a Master of Music degree in violin performance from Rice University, during which time he was also a member of the Houston Symphony. He has served as a conductor with the Houston Youth Symphony, and he is also the founder and artistic director of the Crisalis Music Project. Mr. Macelaru started studying violin at the age of six in his native Romania. He will be relocating to Philadelphia with his wife, Cheryl, and son, Beniamin.

The Philadelphia Orchestra

The Philadelphia Orchestra is among the world's leading orchestras. Renowned for its artistic excellence since its founding in 1900, the Orchestra has excited audiences with thousands of concerts in Philadelphia and around the world.

With only seven music directors throughout more than a century of unswerving orchestral distinction, the artistic heritage of The Philadelphia Orchestra is attributed to extraordinary musicianship under the leadership and innovation of Fritz Scheel (1900-07), Carl Pohlig (1907-12), Leopold Stokowski (1912-41), Eugene Ormandy (1936-80), Riccardo Muti (1980-92), Wolfgang Sawallisch (1993-2003), and Christoph Eschenbach (2003-08). After 30 years of a celebrated association with The Philadelphia Orchestra, Charles Dutoit continues the tradition as chief conductor.

Since Mr. Dutoit's debut with the Orchestra in July 1980 he has led hundreds of concerts in Philadelphia, at Carnegie Hall, and on tour, as artistic director of the Orchestra's summer concerts at the Mann Center, artistic director and principal conductor of the Orchestra's summer residency at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center, and now as chief conductor. With the 2012-13 season, the Orchestra honors Mr. Dutoit by bestowing upon him the title conductor laureate.

Yannick Nézet-Séguin assumed the title of music director designate in June 2010, immediately joining the Orchestra's leadership team. He takes up the baton as The Philadelphia Orchestra's next music director in 2012.

The Philadelphia Orchestra annually touches the lives of countless music lovers worldwide, through concerts, presentations, and recordings. Each year the Orchestra presents a subscription season at the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, education and community partnership programs, and annual appearances at Carnegie Hall and the Kennedy Center; it also regularly tours throughout the world. Its summer schedule includes performances at the Mann Center, free Neighborhood Concerts throughout Greater Philadelphia, and residencies at the Bravo! Vail Valley Music Festival and the Saratoga Performing Arts Center. For more information on The Philadelphia Orchestra, please visit www.philorch.org.

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