Beethoven’s Eroica & Liszt

The 2021-22 season marks Rafael Payare’s third season as music director of San Diego Symphony, and already the relationship has been recognized as one of the most dynamic in North America. He is the next music director of Orchestre Symphonique de Montreal beginning in the 2022-23 season.

Rafael was previously principal conductor and music director of the Ulster Orchestra (2014-19). He now holds the title of conductor laureate in recognition of his artistic contribution to the orchestra and City of Belfast.

His profound musicianship, technical brilliance, and charismatic presence on the podium has elevated Rafael to one of today’s most sought-after conductors. He kicked off this season with the San Diego Symphony to inaugurate the Rady Shell at Jacobs Park, its stunning new open-air venue, and he gave his first concerts as music director designate of Orchestre Symphonique de Montreal. These concerts mark his Houston Symphony debut.

As an opera conductor, he made his acclaimed debut at Glyndebourne Festival in 2019 conducting Barbiere. This season, he debuts at the Danish Opera conducting Tosca. In 2012, he was invited by his mentor, the late Lorin Maazel, to conduct at Virginia’s Castleton Festival, and in 2015 he conducted performances of Gounod’s Romeo and Juliette and a performance of Beethoven Symphony No 9 in memory of Maazel.

An inspiration to young musicians, Rafael has forged a close relationship with London’s Royal College of Music where he visits every season to lead its Symphony Orchestra. He also has led projects with the Chicago Civic Orchestra, Orchestra of the Americas, and the Filarmonica Joven de Colombia.

Born in 1980 and a graduate of the celebrated El Sistema in Venezuela, Rafael began his formal conducting studies in 2004 with José Antonio Abreu. He has conducted all the major orchestras, including the Simón Bolívar Orchestra. As principal horn of the Simon Bolivar Orchestra, he took part in many prestigious tours and recordings with conductors Giuseppe Sinopoli, Claudio Abbado, Sir Simon Rattle, and Lorin Maazel.

In 2012, Rafael Payare was awarded first prize at the Malko International Conducting Competition.

For more than three decades, Jean-Yves Thibaudet has performed world-wide, recorded more than 50 albums, and built a reputation as one of today’s finest pianists. From the start of his career, he delighted in music beyond the standard repertoire, from jazz to opera, which he transcribed to play on the piano. His profound professional friendships crisscross the globe and have led to spontaneous and fruitful collaborations in film, fashion, and visual art.

Jean-Yves has a lifelong passion for education and fostering young musical talent. He is the first artist-in-residence at the Colburn School in Los Angeles, where he makes his home. In 2017, the school announced the Jean-Yves Thibaudet Scholarships, funded by members of Colburn’s donor community, to provide aid for Music Academy students, whom Jean-Yves will select for the merit-based awards, regardless of their instrument choice.

His recording catalogue has received two Grammy nominations, the Preis der Deutschen Schallplattenkritik, the Diapason d’Or, the Choc du Monde de la Musique, the Edison Prize, and Gramophone awards. His most recent album, 2021’s Carte Blanche, features a selection of deeply personal solo piano pieces never before recorded by the pianist. He is the soloist on Wes Anderson’s upcoming film The French Dispatch; his playing can also be heard in Pride and Prejudice, Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close, Wakefield, and the Oscar-winning and critically acclaimed film Atonement. His concert wardrobe is designed by Dame Vivienne Westwood.

In 2010, the Hollywood Bowl honored Jean-Yves for his musical achievements by inducting him into its Hall of Fame. Previously a Chevalier of the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres, Jean-Yves was awarded the title Officier by the French Ministry of Culture in 2012. In 2020, he was named Special Representative for the promotion of French Creative and Cultural Industries in Romania. He is co-artistic director, with Gautier Capuçon, of the Festival Musique & Vin au Clos Vougeot.