Lorin Maazel describes the Palau de les Arts Reina Sofía as “extraordinary”

17.07.2005

Maazel is very optimistic about his contribution to the Valencia coliseum and assures that it is a very promising project.
Regarding the Palau de les Arts orchestra, he assures that "we want quality, not quantity, and we will primarily seek Valencian musicians."
Valencia (July 17, 2005). Maestro Lorin Maazel described the Palau de les Arts Reina Sofía as an “extraordinary complex for the arts” and stated that his involvement with the Valencian opera house as Music Director is intended to make a “modest contribution to Valencian and Spanish culture and to the international scene.” Maazel made these remarks in Peralada (Girona), where he gave a concert as part of the town's Music Festival.
Maazel also stated that, “I am very positive and optimistic about my contribution to this project, as it is part of a major plan that will have a significant impact.” In this regard, he affirmed that the Palau de les Arts is a “very promising” project and that “participating in this large complex is a challenge.”

Lorin Maazel, whose contract with the Palau de les Arts will last for the first three seasons, will have an active presence in the formation of the coliseum's resident orchestra and in the selection of its teachers, as well as participating in both operatic titles and symphonic concerts.

As the renowned conductor explained, "I am very interested in tradition and to make a modest contribution, we have to plan for the future, as is being done in Valencia."

Regarding the Palau de les Arts Orchestra, the American conductor stated, “We want to create an orchestra that can be a major operatic ensemble.” He added, “Our goal is practical; we’re not looking for quantity but quality. It takes years to build an orchestra and find the right people.”

He also indicated regarding the Orchestra that "we have organized auditions for next October and we will be looking mainly for Valencian musicians, naturally also international musicians, because music is an international language."

Lorin Maazel also highlighted Maestro Zubin Mehta's collaboration with the Palau de les Arts project and assured that if the plans for the Valencian coliseum are successfully carried out, we will be making a great contribution thanks to the quality of the staging, the program, the songs and the orchestra.”

Regarding the Royal Presentation Gala, in which the American director will participate, he stated, “It will be like a musical celebration, with a program that I hope the people of Valencia will enjoy. We will give it our all; we will put all our energy into it.”

Lorin Maazel, an American born in France in 1930 and an acclaimed violinist and composer, has conducted more than 5,000 concerts and opera performances with over 150 orchestras and has recorded more than 300 albums. This is the first time since 1984, when he was Music Director of the Vienna State Opera, that Maazel has been closely associated with an opera house.