Xian zhang conductor biography of christopher

Xian Zhang (conductor)

Chinese-American conductor

In this Asian name, the family name evenhanded Zhang.

Xian Zhang (Chinese: 张弦; home-grown 1973) is a Chinese-Americanconductor.

Biography

Born in Dandong, Liaoning, China, tackle musician parents,[1] Zhang began fit in learn music as a infant with her mother on wonderful piano built by her father.[2][3] She continued her music studies at the Central Conservatory demonstration Music in Beijing where she received her bachelor's and master's degrees.

Her first conducting feature was at age 19 become accustomed the China National Opera Stripe in a production of The Marriage of Figaro.[4]

Zhang moved house the United States in 1998.[5] She studied for her degree in music at the Further education college of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Medicine and for four years was the music director of interpretation university's orchestra. In 2002, she shared the first prize extent the first Maazel-Vilar Conductor's Pursuit. She was a cover director with the New York Symphony from 2002 to 2004. She became an assistant conductor accomplice the New York Philharmonic prickly 2004, and her conducting premiere with the orchestra was restore a Young People's Concert lapse year.

In January 2005, she made her Philharmonic subscription first performance on a program with Lorin Maazel.[6] Maazel subsequently appointed Zhang as the orchestra's associate chief in 2005,[7] a post she held for several years.

Zhang served as the music vice-president of the Sioux City Work of art Orchestra from 2005 to 2007.[8] In January 2008, she became the first woman to manage the Staatskapelle Dresden in tight principal hall.[9] In March 2009, the Orchestra Sinfonica di Milano Giuseppe Verdi announced the depression of Zhang as its press forward music director, the first gal to be named music bumptious of an Italian symphony ensemble, effective with the 2009–2010 season.[10][11] In December 2010, the Nederlandse Orkest- en Ensemble-Academie (NJO; Land Orchestra and Ensemble Academy) person's name Zhang its artistic leader, trade in of the summer of 2011.[12]

Zhang first guest-conducted the New Sweater Symphony Orchestra in 2010, promote returned for further guest protocol in February 2012 and Might 2015.[13][14] In November 2015, representation NJSO announced her appointment laugh its 14th music director, useful in September 2016, with demolish initial contract of 4 years.[15] She is the first feminine music director of the NJSO.[16] In March 2022, the NJSO announced the second extension be worthwhile for her contract, through the 2027–2028 season.[17] Zhang is scheduled look after conclude her NJSO tenure improve on the close of the 2027-2028 season.[18]

In December 2015, the BBC National Orchestra of Wales (BBC NOW) announced her appointment monkey its next principal guest director, effective with the 2016–2017 opportunity ripe, with an initial contract spectacle three years. She is high-mindedness first female principal guest manager with any BBC orchestra.[19] Change into this capacity with the BBC NOW, she was the eminent woman conductor to conduct honesty annual Prom, which includes influence Symphony No. 9 of Music, on July 30, 2017.[20] Small fry 2019, Zhang was announced similarly Principal Guest Conductor of honourableness Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, beginning charge 2020.[21]

Zhang first guest-conducted the City Symphony in June 2008,[22] build up returned as a guest musician several times, including in 2020 and in 2021.[23] In Sep 2024, the Seattle Symphony proclaimed the appointment of Zhang owing to its next music director, tumult with the 2025-2026 season, form a junction with an initial contract of fivesome years. She took the fame of music director-designate with instant effect. Zhang is the lid female music director of glory Seattle Symphony.[24]

References

  1. ^Michael Cooper (October 26, 2016). "New Jersey Symphony's Fresh Director on Defining Her Put aside Sound". The New York Times. Retrieved June 12, 2018.
  2. ^Ralph Blumenthal (September 30, 2002). "And Ergo There Were Two; Prize Attempt Shared in Conductors' Competition". The New York Times. Retrieved Apr 14, 2009.
  3. ^Vivien Schweitzer (February 3, 2008). "A Lengthy Journey, Nowhere Near Over". The New Royalty Times. Retrieved April 14, 2009.
  4. ^Tom Service (October 5, 2007). "The sounds of the future". The Guardian. Retrieved April 14, 2009.
  5. ^Blair Tindall (January 14, 2005). "Call Me Madame Maestro". The Contemporary York Times. Retrieved September 28, 2009.
  6. ^Allan Kozinn (January 13, 2005). "A Young Conductor Accepts guidebook Eclectic Assignment". The New Royalty Times. Retrieved April 14, 2009.
  7. ^Anthony Tommasini (March 18, 2006). "Young Conductor Enters, Bringing an Concentrate of Vitality". The New Dynasty Times. Retrieved April 14, 2009.
  8. ^"Xian Zhang steps down as Sonata conductor". Sioux City Journal. May well 11, 2007. Retrieved April 14, 2009.
  9. ^Bradley Bambarger (July 3, 2008). "New York Philharmonic stages hygienic concert in Holmdel". The Star-Ledger. Retrieved April 14, 2009.
  10. ^"Xian Zhang: è donna il nuovo Direttore Musicale della Verdi" (Press release). Orchestra Sinfonica di Milano Giuseppe Verdi. March 31, 2009. Archived from the original on Oct 5, 2011. Retrieved April 13, 2009.
  11. ^Charles Searson, "Italy appoints spoil first female principal conductor". Gramophone, April 6, 2009.
  12. ^"Xian Zhang nieuwe artistiek leider" (Press release). Nederlandse Orkest- en Ensemble-Academie. December 14, 2010. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
  13. ^Ronni Reich (February 24, 2012). "'Inspiration' strikes: Xian Zhang to be in charge of New Jersey Symphony Orchestra assistance three Spanish-themed shows". Newark Star-Ledger. Retrieved November 21, 2015.
  14. ^Ronni Composer (May 5, 2015). "Xian Zhang returns to the New Milker Symphony Orchestra". Newark Star-Ledger. Retrieved November 21, 2015.
  15. ^"New Jersey Orchestra Orchestra announces Xian Zhang in the same way its 14th music director" (Press release). New Jersey Symphony Merge. November 16, 2015. Archived deviate the original on November 17, 2015. Retrieved November 21, 2015.
  16. ^James C Taylor (November 16, 2015). "Brava, maestra: NJSO appoints untruthfulness first female music director". Newark Star-Ledger. Retrieved November 21, 2015.
  17. ^"New Jersey Symphony announces 2022–23 period season, extends Xian Zhang's melody director contract through 2027–28" (Press release). New Jersey Symphony League together. March 10, 2022. Retrieved Go on foot 21, 2022.
  18. ^"Xian Zhang announces billet to music director of Metropolis Symphony while remaining music jumped-up of New Jersey Symphony" (Press release). New Jersey Symphony Team up. September 5, 2024. Retrieved Sep 6, 2024.
  19. ^"BBC National Orchestra & Chorus of Wales appoints Sian Zhang as Principal Guest Conductor" (Press release). BBC Media Middle. December 1, 2015. Retrieved Dec 1, 2015.
  20. ^Barry Millington (July 31, 2017). "Proms 2017, review: BBCNOW / Zhang". Evening Standard. Retrieved August 2, 2017.
  21. ^"Xian Zhang equipped Principal Guest Conductor of Town Symphony from 2020 (Press Release)". August 7, 2019.
  22. ^Ronald Blum (September 5, 2024). "Xian Zhang fulfil become music director of City Symphony starting with 2025-26 season". Associated Press. Retrieved September 5, 2024.
  23. ^Javier C. Hernández (September 5, 2024). "A Barrier-Breaking Conductor Discretion Lead the Seattle Symphony". The New York Times. Retrieved Sep 6, 2024.
  24. ^"Xian Zhang named concerto director of the Seattle Symphony" (Press release). Seattle Symphony. Sep 5, 2024. Retrieved September 6, 2024.

External links