JOSEPH COLANERI
CONDUCTOR
BIOGRAPHY
Renowned for his versatility, musical depth, and ability to “inspire musicians,” Joseph Colaneri is recognized as a multifaceted presence on the podium. An international conductor equally adept with operatic, oratorio and symphonic repertoire, Colaneri continues to expand his relationships with orchestras and opera companies both nationally and abroad. Music Director of the acclaimed Glimmerglass Festival since 2013, Mo. Colaneri has led a diverse range of repertoire there including The Cunning Little Vixen, Donizetti’s L’assedio di Calais, Candide, and The Ghosts of Versailles, alongside classics such as La Traviata, Carmen, La bohème and Il barbiere di Siviglia.
Last season, Mo. Colaneri led productions of Macbeth at Maryland Lyric Opera, Rigolettoat Utah Symphony and Opera, and Candide and Roméo et Juliette at The Glimmerglass Festival. This season, he leads Later the Same Evening for the Juilliard School, a gala for New Orleans Opera and returns to The Glimmerglass Festival as to lead multiple operas, soon to be announced. [read more...]
CRITICAL ACCLAIM
"... Colaneri, who has raised the orchestral bar…” – Opera News
Carmen – “Carmen scored a definite success at the July 30 matinee. Joseph Colaneri's orchestra sailed out of the gate with an impressively arresting overture and never faltered...in the pit Bizet's wondrous score got its due in a tight, detailed reading from Colaneri, who has raised the orchestral bar at Glimmerglass.”
__________
"... made an impressive company debut…” – BachTrack
La bohème – “On the podium, Joseph Colaneri made an impressive company debut. Fully in command of an orchestra that was understandably diminished in its forces, his magnanimous gestures produced a sound that was warm and effulgent.”
__________
"... propulsive but subtle account of the score..." – Broadway World
Aïda – “The work of all these artists came together under the leadership of Maestro Joseph Colaneri. His propulsive but subtle account of the score brought out the truth that Verdi ably described every emotion known to humanity with perfect accuracy. Colaneri provided space for the singers to breathe, a sense of majesty for the Triumphal Scene, and urgent orchestral drama for the interpersonal conflicts."
__________
"... Colaneri conducted with aplomb and obvious command..." – Opera Today
The Ghost of Versailles – “Joseph Colaneri kept the proceedings percolating with admirable unity of purpose and dramatic investment. Maestro Colaneri conducted with aplomb and obvious command of the ever-shifting musical genres. The accomplished orchestra responded with a cornucopia of impressive effects, including radiant string passages, tasty wind solos, snarling brass licks, and telling percussive punctuations. He also partnered beautifully with his singers to present a mellifluous ensemble effort, beautifully judged in its dramatic fruition.”
__________
"... Colaneri was in total control..." – Seen and Heard International
The Cunning Little Vixen – “Janáček called for a large force, and the score is awash with lush and brilliant orchestral colors. Joseph Colaneri was in total control and paced the performance beautifully. Instead of the brilliance and forward propulsion that he had achieved in the Rossini the previous evening, the sounds that emerged from the pit were luminous and throbbing with emotion.”