Cristian Măcelaru, born on March 15, 1980, in Timișoara, Romania, is a prominent Romanian conductor. He currently serves as the chief conductor of the WDR Symphony Orchestra Cologne, the music director of the Orchestre National de France, and will become the music director of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra.
The youngest of ten children, Cristian Măcelaru began his musical journey studying the violin. He furthered his studies in the United States at the Interlochen Arts Academy and graduated from the University of Miami in 2003 with a Bachelor of Music degree. At Miami, he achieved the distinction of being the youngest concertmaster in the Miami Symphony Orchestra’s history.
Cristian Măcelaru continued his education at Rice University, where he developed a keen interest in conducting under the mentorship of Larry Rachleff. During his time at Rice, he conducted the Houston Youth Orchestra and performed as a violinist with the Houston Symphony Orchestra for two seasons. He also participated in master classes with esteemed conductors including David Zinman, Rafael Frühbeck de Burgos, Oliver Knussen, and Stefan Asbury. He received the Solti Foundation’s Emerging Conductor Award in 2012 and the Solti Conducting Award in 2014.
In 2011, Cristian Măcelaru joined The Philadelphia Orchestra as an assistant conductor and was promoted to associate conductor in 2012. He held this position until 2014 and then served as the conductor-in-residence until 2017. His guest-conducting debut with the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra took place in 2015, and he returned for a subscription concert debut in January 2016. Since 2017, he has been the music director of the Cabrillo Festival of Contemporary Music.
Cristian Măcelaru first conducted the WDR Symphony Orchestra Cologne in February 2017 and was appointed as its chief conductor in May 2018, beginning his tenure in the 2019-2020 season. His contract was extended through July 2025, but he will transition to an Artistic Partner role for the 2025-2026 season.
Cristian Măcelaru began guest-conducting the Orchestre National de France in September 2018 and made a second appearance in the summer of 2019. In November 2019, he was appointed as the music director of the ONF, starting September 1, 2020, a year earlier than originally planned due to Emmanuel Krivine’s resignation. His contract with the ONF was extended through 2027.
In August 2023, Cristian Măcelaru took on the role of Artistic Director for the George Enescu Festival. In April 2024, he was announced as the next music director of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, with plans to officially start in the 2025-2026 season and continue through the 2028-2029 season.
Cristian Măcelaru is married to Cheryl, a bassoonist, and they have two children. They reside in Paris. Măcelaru became a U.S. citizen in 2019.
FAQs
1. What is Cristian Măcelaru age?
- Cristian Măcelaru was born on March 15, 1980, making him 44 years old as of 2024.
2. What is Cristian Măcelaru real name?
- His real name is Cristian Măcelaru.
3. What is Cristian Măcelaru career?
- Cristian Măcelaru is a conductor. He is the chief conductor of the WDR Symphony Orchestra Cologne, music director of the Orchestre National de France, and will become the music director of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra.
4. Where did Cristian Măcelaru receive his education?
- Măcelaru studied at the Interlochen Arts Academy and graduated from the University of Miami with a Bachelor of Music degree. He continued his studies at Rice University.
5. Who are Cristian Măcelaru parents?
- Specific information about Cristian Măcelaru parents are not known to the public.
6. How many siblings does Cristian Măcelaru have?
- Cristian Măcelaru is the youngest of ten children.
7. Who is Cristian Măcelaru wife?
- Cristian Măcelaru is married to Cheryl, a bassoonist.
8. How many children does Cristian Măcelaru have?
- Cristian Măcelaru and his wife have two children.
9. What is Cristian Măcelaru nationality?
- Cristian Măcelaru is Romanian. He also became a U.S. citizen in 2019.
10. What awards and achievements has Cristian Măcelaru received?
- Măcelaru received the Solti Foundation’s Emerging Conductor Award in 2012 and the Solti Conducting Award in 2014.
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