by AdminTyBarts | Jun 29, 2026 | News
Spanish-American conductor François López-Ferrer is experiencing a milestone moment in his international operatic career as he takes on one of his most significant challenges yet: his debut on the podium of Madrid’s Teatro Real, conducting two performances of Giuseppe Verdi’s Il trovatore on July 4 and 15. In an exclusive interview with Ópera Actual—Spain’s most prestigious specialized lyric music magazine and a benchmark for the operatic world since 1991—López-Ferrer shares his artistic vision and reflects on his personal journey.
This debut represents an emotional return to his Spanish roots and a deeply personal reconnection with the legacy of his father, the legendary conductor Jesús López Cobos, who left a profound mark on the Madrid opera house:
“His influence was not that of an imposing master, but that of a daily example of honesty, love for a job well done, and an absolute respect for the musicians and singers. His way of understanding the craft—with humility, tireless study, and dignity—is the compass that guides every step I take.”
Regarding his role in the pit and his relationship with the cast, López-Ferrer highlights the invaluable experience gained during his time at the Paris Opera Academy:
“Opera is not just technique; it is flexibility, shared breathing, and psychology. That very close contact taught me to understand the capacities and needs of each voice; to know when to guide and when to give freedom so that the drama flows organically.”
Read the complete interview (in Spanish).
by AdminTyBarts | Jun 26, 2026 | News
Celebrated composer and academic Elmar Lampson has been elected as the new Chairman of the Music Section at the prestigious Freie Akademie der Künste Hamburg (Free Academy of Arts Hamburg).
The appointment stands as a major honour within the European cultural community, though Lampson admitted the news came as a total surprise, noting he “didn’t expect it at all.” His election reflects the deep respect his peers hold for his visionary work in contemporary music.
We extend our warmest congratulations to Elmar Lampson as he steps into this influential new role!
by AdminTyBarts | Jun 3, 2026 | News
In a deeply personal interview with Austria’s prestigious newspaper Die Presse, pianist Boris Giltburg reflects on his Russian roots and Israeli upbringing, describing himself as “privileged” to belong to both cultures and languages.
Elsewhere in the interview, Giltburg offers a revealing insight into his artistic attitude, explaining that true freedom in performance comes only through rigorous work: “In order to feel free on stage, I need to be perfectly prepared.” He also speaks movingly about his enduring love for live performance itself, adding: “I have always loved performing on stage — to this day, it remains the most beautiful thing for me.”
Giltburg also reflects on the evolution of his artistry, describing how his musical development became increasingly self-directed and analytical after the end of his studies with renowned pianist and pedagogue Arie Vardi. A decisive turning point, he explains, was the habit of recording and critically listening back to his own performances — a practice that allowed him to assess his playing with greater objectivity and ultimately develop a fully independent artistic voice. This process of self-evaluation remains as an essential part of his daily musical workflow.
Deutsch lesen
Boris Giltburg in sehr persönlichem Interview mit Österreichs Die Presse
In einem sehr persönlichen Interview mit der renommierten österreichischen Tageszeitung Die Presse spricht der Pianist Boris Giltburg über seine russischen Wurzeln und seine Kindheit in Israel. Dabei beschreibt er es als ein „Privileg“, Zugang zu beiden Kulturen und Sprachen zu haben: „Ich habe das Privileg, Zugang zu beiden Kulturen und Sprachen zu haben. Ich bin stolz auf mein russisches Erbe.“
An anderer Stelle des Gesprächs gibt Giltburg einen aufschlussreichen Einblick in seine künstlerische Haltung und erklärt, dass wahre Freiheit auf der Bühne nur durch intensive Vorbereitung entstehen könne: „Um mich auf der Bühne frei fühlen zu können, muss ich perfekt vorbereitet sein.“ Zugleich spricht er bewegend über seine bis heute ungebrochene Liebe zum Konzertleben: „Ich habe es immer geliebt, auf der Bühne zu spielen – das ist bis heute das Schönste für mich.“
Darüber hinaus reflektiert Giltburg über die Entwicklung seiner künstlerischen Persönlichkeit und beschreibt, wie sein musikalischer Zugang nach dem Ende seines Studiums bei dem renommierten Pianisten und Pädagogen Arie Vardi zunehmend eigenständiger und analytischer wurde. Einen entscheidenden Wendepunkt markierte dabei, wie er erklärt, das regelmäßige Aufnehmen und kritische Anhören seines eigenen Spiels — eine Arbeitsweise, die es ihm ermöglichte, sich selbst objektiver zu beurteilen und schließlich eine vollkommen eigene künstlerische Stimme zu entwickeln. Dieser Prozess der Selbstreflexion gehört bis heute zu seinem täglichen musikalischen Workflow.
by AdminTyBarts | May 22, 2026 | News
Richard Strauss’ Eine Alpensinfonie (An Alpine Symphony) is widely regarded as one of the crowning achievements of late-Romantic orchestral writing and among the most ambitious tone poems ever composed. Premiered in 1915, the work requires an enormous orchestra and extraordinary technical precision to realise its immense sonic landscape. Developing in a single uninterrupted musical arc lasting nearly fifty minutes, the work’s demanding scale makes a successful performance a major achievement for both the Orquesta Sinfónica de Chile and its conductor, Luis Toro Araya.
The monumental symphony drew equally impressive critical acclaim: “The young conductor led it from memory with staggering assurance, immersing both orchestra and audience with pinpoint precision in every exploratory Straussian step of the ascent into the Alps. … A truly mega conductor!” (Círculo críticos de arte).
Toro Araya shares a particularly strong relationship with the ensemble and an intimate understanding of its artistic identity, having performed as a violinist within its ranks ten years ago. Now returning at the helm, he emerges as a commanding musical presence, leading the orchestra with striking authority:
“Winner of multiple major international competitions, Toro Araya consistently demonstrates an overflowing talent and has established himself as one of the most outstanding young conductors of today. . . . His interpretation illuminates the work’s inner essence through a transparent sonority (with remarkable command of orchestral textures), a finely judged sense of rubato, intelligent choice of tempi, and a strikingly clear architectural shaping of the sonic planes” (El Mercurio).
by Francisca Folch | May 7, 2026 | News
In a major feature interview with Germany’s Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung (FAZ), pianist Boris Giltburg speaks in depth about the music of his beloved Sergei Rachmaninov, whose complete piano works he is currently recording for Naxos. Reflecting on the composer’s unique sound world, Giltburg describes Rachmaninov’s writing as both orchestral and deeply pianistic, explaining that imagining orchestral colours at the keyboard “clarifies the entire approach to interpretation” and creates “an organic result.”
Giltburg also praises the structural precision behind Rachmaninov’s music, observing that “behind the richness of emotion … there is always a sharp intellect”. He describes the composer as an artist who “knew exactly what he was doing and planned his pieces like an architect”. Speaking personally about the profound importance of this repertoire in his own life, Giltburg adds: “Personally, I could not live without Rachmaninov. I always need a dose of Rachmaninov.”
The interview also dwells on Giltburg’s passion for literature and translation. Alongside his international concert career, he is currently translating Hebrew poetry and prose into English, including sonnets by the celebrated Israeli poet Lea Goldberg and a short story by Nobel Prize-winning author Shmuel Yosef Agnon. Discussing the challenges of translation, the pianist reflects on the deep poetic and prosodic connections between Hebrew and German, and describes his fascination with recreating not only meaning, but also rhythm, colour, and musicality across languages.
by AdminTyBarts | Apr 21, 2026 | News
The Opéra de Paris has just announced the return of conductor François López-Ferrer, who will lead Il Barbiere di Siviglia by Gioachino Rossini at the Opéra Bastille next season, from 12 September to 5 November 2026.
Winner of the prestigious Sir Georg Solti Conducting Award in 2024, the Spanish-American conductor is rapidly establishing himself as one of the most compelling figures on today’s international scene. This new engagement marks his second collaboration with the Opéra de Paris.
Before taking on this production, he will round off the current season with his debut at Teatro Real in Madrid, where he will conduct Il Trovatore.
With a strong background in symphonic repertoire, López-Ferrer has worked with leading international ensembles, including the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, the Los Angeles Philharmonic at the Hollywood Bowl, the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra, the Orquesta Sinfónica de Radio Televisión Española, the George Enescu Philharmonic, and the Verbier Festival Orchestra.
Learn more about López-Ferrer’s work at the Opéra national de Paris.
