Lorin Maazel renews as music director of the Palau de les Arts for two more seasons

He will lead the Orquestra de la Comunitat Valenciana in a total of 24 performances per season, which will include two new operas, revivals of his own productions that he has already conducted, as well as the scheduled symphonic concerts.
Valencia (27-4-09).- Maestro Lorin Maazel has today renewed his contract as musical director of the Palau de les Arts Reina Sofía for two more seasons.

Lorin Maazel will conduct the Orquestra de la Comunitat Valenciana (OCV) for a total of 24 performances per season, including two new operas, revivals of titles from the Palau de les Arts repertoire that he premiered previously, and the symphonic concerts planned for the Valencian arts center's season.

This was announced today by the Director of the Palau de les Arts Reina Sofía, Helga Schmidt, at a press conference also attended by the Minister of Culture and Sport, Trini Miró, and Maestro Lorin Maazel himself.

Helga Schmidt has indicated that Lorin Maazel will combine his work as musical director with the direction of the festival that he himself has promoted in the American town of Castleton (Virginia) and which will celebrate its first edition this coming July.

“Everyone is delighted with the continued leadership of Maestro Lorin Maazel, who in three years has made the Orquestra de la Comunitat Valenciana one of the most dynamic and admired ensembles on the international scene,” highlighted the Director of the Palau de les Arts.

Lorin Maazel has indicated that the emotional component weighed heavily in his decision to continue leading the resident orchestra of the Palau de les Arts:

“I am not of Latin origin, but feelings affect me deeply, and when I said I was leaving the Palau de les Arts, I did so with great regret. On the one hand, because of the high level of the Orchestra and the Choir of the Generalitat, the great artistic quality of the programming, and on the other hand, because of the wonderful team that Director Helga Schmidt has built. I have felt very comfortable these past three seasons and have made some very good friends.”

Maestro Maazel, who also emphasized the great support he has received over the years from the President of the Generalitat, Francisco Camps, and the Minister of Culture, Trini Miró, explained that when it came time to extend his relationship with the Palau de les Arts, “I told myself I had to review my schedule; I couldn't leave an ensemble of this caliber without a guide and protector. Now that I am finishing my work as music director of the New York Philharmonic, I will combine my role as music director of the Palau de les Arts with that of the Virginia Festival and with composing.”

For her part, the Minister of Culture, Trini Miró, thanked the Maestro on behalf of the Generalitat for his sensitivity towards the musicians, the Palau de les Arts, and the Valencian and international public. “Thanks to Lorin Maazel, we have one of the best orchestras in the world. In three years, we have broken quality records, and with his renewal, we will continue on the same path, making the Orquestra de la Comunitat Valenciana our best ambassador and ensuring that the Palau de les Arts remains a benchmark within the international opera circuit.”