Rafael Payare, internationally renowned conductor, will take on the role of OSM musical director. Mr. Payare will become the 9th musical director in the history of the orchestra.
The Venezuelan conductor, whose appointment was unanimously recommended by the selection committee, will take up his post as appointed musical director as of September 1. Succeeding Kent Nagano, he will fully assume his duties from the 2022-2023 season, for a period of at least five years.
Payare’s debut with the Orchestra in 2018 was a most memorable occasion, as the natural relationship he established with the musicians of the OSM was instantaneous. This connection was reaffirmed in 2019, when he led the Orchestra again. For the 2020-21 season of the OSM, it is as artist in residence * that Mr. Payare demonstrates the extent of his talents to the Quebec public.
“Rafael Payare’s passion, energy and determination, his Latin origins as well as his endearing personality are attributes that will undoubtedly appeal to the Montreal public.” – Madeleine Careau, CEO of the OSM
Rafael Payare, 40, is one of the most prominent and sought-after new generation conductors on the international scene. His innate sense of music, his brilliant technique and the charisma he exudes on the podium characterize his musical style and approach. Horn player by training, Rafael Payare is a graduate of the famous music education program El Sistema . His talent was quickly recognized by maestro José Antonio Abreu, the founder from El Sistema , with which he undertook, in 2004, his formal studies in orchestral conducting.
Since winning the prestigious international Malko competition for young conductors in Denmark in 2012, his career has grown tremendously. From 2014 to 2019 he was Music Director of the Ulster Orchestra and since 2019 he has held this position with the San Diego Symphony.
“He is a prodigious artist, who combines the gift of rare sonic perfection with a deep, delicate, intense, quivering sensitivity” – The world
In recent years, Rafael Payare has conducted a large number of some of the most prestigious symphony orchestras in the world. This was notably the case in Paris, Vienna, London, Munich, Chicago and Berlin.
– Our portrait: Rafael Payare, music as a vital breath
– Website : rafaelpayare.com
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During the 1930s, a handful of African-American artists managed to rise to the top of their art despite a social system deeply unfavorable to their development. Examples of courage, commitment and perseverance, they constitute as many models for the following generations while opening up different avenues in our artistic horizons. While the next OSM concert highlights a work by one of them, here are four figures who were pioneers in the field of classical music, but who also hold our full attention through their commitment to the rights of African Americans, peace or even equality between human beings.