Jiří Bělohlávek
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Jiří Bělohlávek (born February 24, 1946 in Prague) is a Czech conductor. He studied with Sergiu Celibidache. Bělohlávek is a graduate of the Prague Conservatory and Academy of Performing Arts in Prague. He won the 1970 Czech National Conducting Competition before progressing through national and international conducting roles.
Previously Bělohlávek has been chief conductor of the Prague Symphony Orchestra (1977-1989). He became principal conductor of the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra in 1990. However, in 1991 the orchestra reorganized and controversially voted to appoint Gerd Albrecht its principal conductor. Bělohlávek resigned the post in 1992. He founded the Prague Philharmonia (Pražskou komorní filharmonii) in 1994 and has recorded and performed in concerts worldwide with it.[1] He conducted the Prague Philharmonia in a televised performance at the BBC Proms in 2004. He continues to be its conductor laureate.
From 1995-2000, Bělohlávek was principal guest conductor of the BBC Symphony Orchestra. In February 2005, he was named its next chief conductor, effective July 2006, with an initial contract of 3 years.[2] [3] His tenure with the BBC Symphony began with the First Night of the 2006 Proms.[4]
Bělohlávek made his Metropolitan Opera (Met) debut on December 17, 2004 conducting Leoš Janáček's "Kát'a Kabanová" with Karita Mattila in the title role. He returned to the Met in January and February of 2007 for the composer's "Jenůfa," once again with Mattila, along with Anja Silja as the Kostelnička. Other guest conducting appearances in the US have been with The Philadelphia Orchestra and the Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra.
[edit] References
- ^ Geoffrey Norris, "I've never been to the Last Night". Telegraph, 8 June 2006.
- ^ Geoffrey Norris, 'I'm here to raise the standard'. Telegraph, 2 February 2005.
- ^ Charlotte Higgins, 'Grumpy? What's that?' The Guardian, 2 February 2005.
- ^ Tom Service, "BBCSO/Belohlavek" (review of 2006 Prom 1). The Guardian, 17 July 2006.
[edit] External links
| Preceded by Václav Neumann |
Chief Conductor, Czech Philharmonic Orchestra 1990–1992 |
Succeeded by Gerd Albrecht |
| Preceded by Ondrej Lenárd |
Principal Conductor, Slovak Philharmonic Orchestra 2003–2004 |
Succeeded by Vladimír Válek |
| Preceded by Leonard Slatkin |
Chief Conductor, BBC Symphony Orchestra 2006– |
Succeeded by incumbent |
 |
This article on a conductor or bandleader is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |
