Four time Grammy-nominated conductor Constantine Orbelian “stands astride two great societies, and finds and promotes synergistic harmony from the best of each.” (Fanfare)
For over 30 years, the brilliant American pianist and conductor has been a central figure in both the East and the West musical life: currently he is the Principal Conductor of the Kaunas City Symphony Orchestra (Lithuania), General and Artistic Director of the State Academic Opera and Ballet Theater (Armenia), and in 2021 maestro was appointed Music Director and Principal Conductor of one of the great New York institutions – New York City Opera (USA). During his four-year tenure in Armenia, Orbelian created new productions of Bizet’s “Carmen,” Mozart’s “The Magic Flute,” Massenet’s “Manon,” and Karen Khachaturian’s ballet “Cipollino,” restored a historic production of Donizetti’s opera “Poliuto,” produced the ballet “La Bohème” to the music of Charles Aznavour, and brought Renée Fleming for the first time to Armenia for a recital. Performances at Dubai Opera (UAE) and the grand opening of the new Opera House in Kuwait (KW) were the highlights of the 2018 season. In all of these music centers, Orbelian leads concerts and recordings with some of the world’s greatest singers.
Opera News calls Constantine Orbelian “the singer’s dream collaborator,” and commented that he conducts vocal repertoire “with the sensitivity of a lieder pianist.” The California-based conductor tours and records with American stars such as Renée Fleming, Sondra Radvanovsky, Lawrence Brownlee, and Stephen Costello. Appearances in the USA have included numerous performances at the Great Performers series at Lincoln Center, Stern Auditorium at Carnegie Hall and the Mostly Mozart Festival, as well as performances at the great musical centers in the United States, Canada, and Central and South America.
Born in San Francisco to Armenian and Russian parents, Constantine Orbelian made his debut as a piano prodigy with the San Francisco Symphony at the age of 11. After graduating from The Juilliard School, he embarked on a career as a piano virtuoso that included appearances with major symphony orchestras throughout the United States, United Kingdom, and Europe. His recording of the Khachaturian Piano Concerto on the “Chandos” label, with conductor Neeme Järvi, won the “Best Concerto Recording of the Year” award in the UK.
In 2001 Orbelian was awarded the Ellis Island Medal of Honor, an award given to immigrants, or children of immigrants, who have made outstanding contributions to the United States. Orbelian also has four Grammy nominations.
