Robert Spano

Not to be confused with Róbert Ragnar Spanó.

Robert Spano (/ˈspænoʊ/ SPAN-oh; born 7 May 1961) is an American conductor[1][2][3][4][5][6] and pianist. He is currently music director of the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra,[7] music director of the Aspen Music Festival and School,[8] principal conductor of the Rhode Island Philharmonic Orchestra, and music director laureate of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra (ASO).

Biography

Early life

Spano was born in Conneaut, Ohio, and grew up in a musical family in Elkhart, Indiana.[9] His father, Tony Spano, was a flute-builder and instrument-repairman as well as a clarinetist. Spano began making music early, studying piano, flute and violin. By the age of 14, he conducted a composition of his own with the local orchestra.[6][10]

After graduating from Elkhart Central High School, he studied at the Oberlin Conservatory, where he earned a degree in piano performance, while also pursuing the violin and composition and studying conducting with Robert Baustian.[11][12] After Oberlin, he studied at the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia, where his mentors included Max Rudolf.

In 1985, Spano left Curtis to take his first professional position, director of orchestral activities at Bowling Green State University.[6][12] In 1989, he returned to Oberlin, now as a faculty member, leading the Opera Theater program.[11] He has maintained at least an official affiliation with Oberlin ever since.[12]

Early career

In 1990, Spano was named as an assistant conductor with the Boston Symphony Orchestra.[10][13] After leaving this post in 1993, he has been a regular guest conductor with the Boston Symphony and a teacher at the Tanglewood Music Center in the summertime. At Tanglewood, he headed the conductor training program from 1998 to 2002, and directed the Festival of Contemporary Music in 2003 and 2004.[13] He has made appearances on the Late Show with David Letterman.[9]

In 1995, Spano's first music directorship was announced, with the Brooklyn Philharmonic.[5][10] He began his tenure in the fall of 1996.[5] Over the next few years, despite multiple financial crises,[3][14][15] Spano, the orchestra, and executive director Joseph Horowitz developed programs organized around intellectual, dramatic, or historical themes, with occasional incorporation of visual elements.[1][2] In 2002, Spano announced his intention to step down from the Brooklyn post at the end of the 2003–2004 season, remaining as an advisor, and then principal guest conductor, until 2007.[14]

Atlanta

In February 2000, the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra announced the appointment of Spano as its next music director, effective in 2001.[2][9][16][17] The ASO has reported increased ticket sales and donations during Spano's tenure.[18][19] Spano concluded his ASO music directorship at the close of the 2020–2021 season,[20] and now has the title of music director laureate of the ASO.

During his ASO tenure, Spano has developed working relationships with contemporary composers such as Osvaldo Golijov, Jennifer Higdon, Christopher Theofanidis, Michael Gandolfi, and Adam Schoenberg, under the rubric of the "Atlanta School of Composers".[21] Spano and the ASO have regularly recorded for Telarc,[9] and more recently for Deutsche Grammophon, including compositions from the "Atlanta School of Composers".

Additional work

Alongside conducting, Spano remains active as a pianist, performing frequently as a chamber musician. He also continues to compose his own music, though only in his time off from his performing career.[22] Spano's work in opera has included conducting Seattle in cycles of Wagner's Der Ring des Nibelungen, in 2005 and in 2009.[22] He made his guest-conducting debut with the Metropolitan Opera in New York on 19 October 2018, with the United States premiere of Nico Muhly's opera Marnie.[23] including the final performance on 10 November 2018, which was part of the Metropolitan Opera Live in HD series.

In March 2019, the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra (FWSO) announced the appointment of Spano as its new principal guest conductor, with immediate effect, with a contract through the 2022–2023 season, simultaneously with his debut as a guest conductor with the orchestra.[24] In February 2021, the FWSO announced the appointment of Spano as its next music director, effective with the 2022–2023 season, with an initial contract of three years. His title changed from principal guest conductor to music director-designate of the FWSO on 1 April 2021.[7]

Spano first guest-conducted the Rhode Island Philharmonic Orchestra (RI Philharmonic) in September 2023. In January 2024, the RI Philharmonic announced the appointment of Spano as its principal conductor, with immediate effect.[25]

Spano first guest-conducted at Washington National Opera in 2021. In February 2024, Washington National Opera announced the appointment of Spano as its next music director, effective with the 2025-2026 season, with an initial contract of three seasons.[26]

Awards and honours

Spano was recognized with the Seaver/National Endowment for the Arts Conductors Award in 1994.[11][27] He has also received honorary degrees from Bowling Green State University and the Curtis Institute of Music, and his recordings have won several Grammy Awards (see below). He was awarded the Ditson Conductor's Award in 2008. Musical America named Spano as its Conductor of the Year in 2008.

Selected discography

All recordings feature Spano conducting the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and its Chorus led by Norman Mackenzie (as appropriate). Additional featured soloists are noted.

Product page / Audio samples. Retrieved 2007-03-25
Awards: Grammy Awards for Best Classical Album, Best Choral Performance, and Best Engineered Album, 2003.
Product page / Audio samples. Retrieved 25 March 2007
Product page / Audio samples. Retrieved 25 March 2007
  • Higdon: City Scape; Concerto for Orchestra. Telarc CD #80620 (2004).
Product page / Audio samples. Retrieved 25 March 2007
  • Berlioz: Requiem, Op. 5 (Grande Messe des Morts). Telarc CD #80627 SACD #60627 (2004). Frank Lopardo, tenor; ASO Chorus.
Awards: Grammy Award for Best Choral Performance, 2005.
Product page / Audio samples. Retrieved 25 March 2007
Awards: Gramophone Magazine "Editor's Choice" (December 2005).
Product page / Audio samples. Retrieved 25 March 2007
Product page / Audio samples. Retrieved 25 March 2007
Awards: Grammy Awards for Best Opera Recording, Best Classical Contemporary Composition, 2006.
Product page / Audio samples. Retrieved 25 March 2007

References

  1. ^ a b Davidson, Justin. "CLASSICAL MUSIC: Looking for Magic: Mixing visuals and language into a performance is just part of conductor Robert Spano's pursuit of orchestral risk" (Fanfare); Newsday (Long Island, NY) – 7 October 2001, p. D21. ProQuest 83361614. Retrieved 23 March 2007
  2. ^ a b c Tommasini, Anthony. "Critic's Notebook: A Winning Formula for Players and Listeners"; The New York Times – 9 February 2000, p. E5. ProQuest 49310007. Retrieved 23 March 2007
  3. ^ a b Dyer, Richard. "Spano Tries to Hang Out at Tanglewood" (Feature); Boston Globe – 22 July 2001, p. L4. ProQuest 76111773. Retrieved 23 March 2007
  4. ^ Ruhe, Pierre. "CRITIC'S NOTEBOOK: Spano Storms New York – and that's fine"; The Atlanta Journal-Constitution – 22 May 2003, p. D1. ProQuest 339183721. Retrieved 23 March 2007
  5. ^ a b c Tommasini, Anthony. "Classical Music: Can Brooklyn Keep Its Maestro While He's Hot?"; The New York Times – 26 October 1997, p. 2–33. ProQuest 20219402. Retrieved 23 March 2007
  6. ^ a b c Brock, Wendell. "Live from Brooklyn, it's Robert Spano" (Feature Profile); The Atlanta Journal-Constitution – 30 April 2000, p. L1. Via ProQuest 53196617. Retrieved 23 March 2007
  7. ^ a b "Robert Spano Appointed Music Director of Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra" (PDF) (Press release). Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra. 9 February 2021. Retrieved 10 February 2021.
  8. ^ Wakin, Daniel J. (12 March 2011). "Robert Spano Named New Aspen Music Festival Music Director". The New York Times.
  9. ^ a b c d Brock, Wendell. "New era for the ASO: Appointment of magnetic, media savvy conductor Robert Spano as director praised; Donald Runnicles to share podium"; The Atlanta Journal-Constitution – 9 February 2000, p. B1. ProQuest 49308409. Retrieved 23 March 2007
  10. ^ a b c Ward, Charles. "Busy Spano here to direct and perform" (Concert preview/Profile); The Houston Chronicle – 30 January 1998. Via Thomson Gale: Document no.=CJ64294186. Retrieved 23 March 2007
  11. ^ a b c Slonimsky, Nicolas, rev. Laura Kuhn. (2001): Baker’s Biographical Dictionary of Musicians – Centennial Edition, Vol. 5, p. 3415. New York: G. Schirmer. ISBN 0-02-865525-7
  12. ^ a b c Robert Spano: Professor of Conducting (Oberlin Conservatory). Via Oberlin.edu. Retrieved 24 March 2007
  13. ^ a b Oestreich, James R. "Shopping With: Robert Spano: Facing the Philharmonic, Armed With New CD's"; (Feature); The New York Times – 18 May 2003, p. 2–27. ProQuest 337831501. Retrieved 23 March 2007
  14. ^ a b Blumenthal, Ralph. "Spano Reduces His Role With Brooklyn Philharmonic"; The New York Times – 27 November 2002, p. E16. ProQuest 246400901. Retrieved 23 March 2007
  15. ^ Kozinn, Allan. "High Notes and Red Ink"; The New York Times – 6 December 1998, p. 14-1. ProQuest 36529269. Retrieved 27 March 2007
  16. ^ Brock, Wendell. "Spano's selection wins press nationwide"; The Atlanta Journal-Constitution – 10 February 2000, p. F12. ProQuest 49343506. Retrieved 23 March 2007
  17. ^ Ruhe, Pierre. "CRITIC'S NOTEBOOK: Spano's first season gives ASO a boost"; The Atlanta Journal-Constitution – 9 June 2002, p. L5. ProQuest 123902471. Retrieved 23 March 2007
  18. ^ Elliott, Susan. "The Atlanta Symphony Gets a Jolt of Energy"; The New York Times – 16 December 2001, p. 2-1. Via ProQuest 95407128. Retrieved 27 March 2007
  19. ^ Ruhe, Pierre. "Ever-better ASO set to conquer New York" (Concert review); The Atlanta Journal-Constitution – 23 April 2004, p. C12. Via ProQuest 622783431. Retrieved 23 March 2007
  20. ^ Bo Emerson (23 January 2018). "Robert Spano to leave ASO music director post in 2021". Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Retrieved 10 February 2021.
  21. ^ The name refers to the orchestra's advocacy itself, as only Higdon comes from Atlanta, and none of the composers of the "School" are based there.
  22. ^ a b Ruhe, Pierre: "'There's Something Bottomless About It' – Robert Spano on Conducting Wagner's Ring Archived 6 May 2007 at the Wayback Machine" (Interview); The Atlanta Journal-Constitution – 15 September 2005. Via Andante.com. Retrieved 24 March 2007
  23. ^ Anthony Tommasini (21 October 2018). "Review: Marnie Stays in the Shadows in Nico Muhly's Opera". New York Times. Retrieved 10 February 2021.
  24. ^ "Robert Spano Named Principal Guest Conductor of Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra" (Press release). Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra. 15 March 2019. Retrieved 10 February 2021.
  25. ^ "RI Philharmonic Announces Robert Spano as Principal Conductor" (Press release). Rhode Island Philharmonic Orchestra. 4 January 2024. Retrieved 5 January 2024.
  26. ^ "Robert Spano To Become Music Director of Washington National Opera" (Press release). Washington National Opera. 6 February 2024. Retrieved 10 February 2024.
  27. ^ Kozinn, Allan. "MUSIC REVIEW; Better Late Than Later, a Philharmonic Debut". The New York Times. 24 May 2003. Retrieved 23 March 2007

Sources

  • Davidson, Justin. "MEASURE FOR MEASURE: Exploring the mysteries of conducting". The New Yorker – 21 August 2006, pp. 60–69. (Conversations with Spano frame an essay on the nature of conducting.)

Interviews

Cultural offices
Preceded by Music Director, Brooklyn Philharmonic
1996–2004 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Music Director, Atlanta Symphony Orchestra
2001–2021 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Music Director, Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra
2022–present 		Succeeded by
incumbent
Preceded by
Bramwell Tovey (music director)
 Principal Conductor, Rhode Island Philharmonic Orchestra
2024–present 		Succeeded by
incumbent