Joseph Colaneri Named New Music Director for the Glimmerglass Festival

The Glimmerglass Festival, Central New York's opera and musical theater company, has appointed Joseph Colaneri as its Music Director, effective October 1, 2013.

Joseph Colaneri has been on the conducting roster of the Metropolitan Opera for 15 seasons and has conducted both across the United States and internationally. He first worked with Glimmerglass in 2009 as conductor for La Cenerentola, and he conducts the Festival's new production of King for a Day this season.

"There is a great energy at Glimmerglass," Colaneri said. "The artistic standard is very high. When you're working in that kind of environment, you have to bring the best of what you are. Plus, at Glimmerglass, there is such a wonderful human spirit. People genuinely love what they are doing. Those are very precious things."

Colaneri's duties will include consulting with Artistic & General Director Francesca Zambello on repertory and casting, overseeing aspects of The Glimmerglass Festival Orchestra and conducting one or two productions each season. Colaneri will also work with members of the Young Artists Program, the company's apprentice program for emerging artists. Colaneri is the company's fourth Music Director; previous holders of that baton include Charles Schneider, Stewart Robertson and David Angus.

"Glimmerglass is a proudly American Opera Company, and it is important to me that we have an American music director," Artistic & General Director Francesca Zambello said. "Joe's many connections will help us identify new talent for our own productions and create opportunities for alumni of our Young Artists Program. Because this program is such a vital part of our company, I'm thrilled we were able to find a music director who has a great track record working with young people."

Colaneri has served as Artistic Director at Mannes College The New School for Music in New York City since 1998, and currently serves as Artistic Director for West Australian Opera. In addition to his work with the Metropolitan Opera, Colaneri has conducted more than 60 performances with New York City Opera and has worked with Portland, Orlando, Chautauqua and Den Norske operas.

"From the beginning, as I envisioned how my musical life would unfold, I saw myself spending part of my time engaged in professional music-making, and part of it working with young people," Colaneri said. "I come from a family of teachers, so it feels very natural to me. We all have to pass on the best of what we've learned, just like our mentors have shared their experience with us."

The 2013 Glimmerglass Festival features new productions of Wagner's The Flying Dutchman; Lerner and Loewe's Camelot; Verdi's King for a Day and Passions,a double bill with David Lang's the little match girl passion and Pergolesi's Stabat Mater. The productions run July 6 through August 24 in Cooperstown, New York. For more information, visit www.glimmerglass.org.

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