ROBERT WOOD
CONDUCTOR
BIOGRAPHY
Conductor Robert Wood founded UrbanArias in 2009. Under his guidance, the company has achieved national recognition as an innovator in the field of opera, and has produced over 25 works in Virginia, DC, and New York City, eleven of which were world premieres, and seven of which were UrbanArias commissions. He conducts all of UrbanArias’ productions. Highlights include Glory Denied (Cipullo), The Roost (Migó/de los Santos – world premiere, UrbanArias commission), The Last American Hammer (Hilliard/Boresi – world premiere, UrbanArias commission), Paul’s Case (Spears/Walat – world premiere), Three Decembers (Heggie/Scheer), Blue Viola (Hilliard/Boresi – world premiere, UrbanArias commission), As One (Kaminsky/Campbell/Reed), After Life/ Josephine (Cipullo – world premiere, UrbanArias commission and Independence Eve (Boquiren/Neer – world premiere).
Maestro Wood made his début with the San Francisco Opera in 2004 with Verdi’s La Traviata. He also conducted L’italiana in Algeri there, as well as several concerts. He recently conducted Rigoletto at Austin Opera, Silent Night at the University of British Columbia with the Vancouver Opera orchestra, Roméo et Juliette and Carmen at Opera Colorado, Die Fledermaus and As One at Hawaii Opera Theatre, and Three Decembers at Kentucky Opera. Engagements for this season include leading Lucia di Lammermoor for Opera Orlando.
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Mr. Wood was appointed Conductor in Residence at the Minnesota Opera from 2006-2008, leading productions of L’italiana in Algeri, Le nozze di Figaro, La donna del lago, Rusalka, and, most recently, Il barbiere di Siviglia. Mr. Wood has also conducted concerts at San Francisco Opera featuring Stephanie Blythe and Lawrence Brownlee, and with the Merola Opera Program’s young artists. Additionally, he conducted L’italiana in Algeri at Vancouver Opera, Die Entführung aus dem Serail for Hawaii Opera Theatre, The Love for Three Oranges at Indiana University Opera Theater, La Cenerentola at New Jersey Opera Theater, Lakmé at Minnesota Opera, and The Nutcracker for San Francisco Ballet. Mr. Wood’s collaborations with the Wolf Trap Opera Company include Le comte Ory and Die Zauberflöte. Other conducting engagements include H.M.S. Pinafore with the Indiana University Opera, and a recording for ODC Dance in San Francisco of Jack Perla’s On a Train Headed South.
Mr. Wood spent many years on the staff of San Francisco Opera where he led performances of La Traviata and L’italiana in Algeri, and assisted productions of La bohème, Il barbiere di Siviglia, Don Carlos, Hansel and Gretel, The Merry Widow, and Tosca. He has also appeared as conductor for many productions with Opera San José including Tosca, Faust, Manon, Carmen, L’elisir d’amore, Rigoletto, and La bohème, and as guest conductor with the San José Chamber Orchestra. Mr. Wood held the position of Chorus Master at The Santa Fe opera from 2001 to 2004, and acted as cover conductor for Beatrice and Benedict, La belle Hélène, L’italiana in Algeri, and Lucia di Lammermoor. At Santa Fe Opera, he also received critical acclaim for the choral contribution to the world premiere of Bright Sheng’s Madame Mao, and the American premiere of Kaija Saariaho’s L’amour de loin. Mr. Wood also served as Chorus Master for Opera Company of Philadelphia’s production of Les pêcheurs de perles in 2004 and has appeared at Chicago Opera Theatre and the Florida State Opera, where he conducted Gluck’s Orfeo.
Mr. Wood was a 1998 Merola Opera Program and Western Opera Theater participant and spent several years in Vienna studying voice and singing in the Arnold Schönberg Chor. He frequently collaborates with universities.
Current as of August 31, 2023
CRITICAL ACCLAIM
"... Wood draws a stirring performance..." – Seen and Heard International
UNKNOWN –“Robert Wood draws a stirring performance from members of the Inscape Chamber Orchestra.”
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“... leads the opera with tremendous clarity and sensitivity…” – DC Metro Theatre Arts
Glory Denied – “The conductor of Glory Denied, Robert Wood, is the founder of UrbanArias. He leads the opera with tremendous clarity and sensitivity, making sure the orchestra moves easily from the lyrical to the intense. In this production, Wood directs members of Inscape Chamber Orchestra, a nine-piece orchestra that sounds like twenty.”
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"... leaves our hearts humming…” – Broadway World
Rigoletto– “Conductor Robert Wood guides Verdi's iconic music and leaves our hearts humming.”
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"... the music was executed flawlessly..." DC Metro Theatre Arts
Carmen – “How many superlatives can I come with to describe the work of Robert Wood, Artistic Director and Conductor? Wood ensured that the music was executed flawlessly–every note pleased the ears with exceeding joy.”
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"... masterful..." – DC Theatre Scene
As One – “For this, this show is to be highly commended, and As One has been given a very respectable production. Behind everything that UrbanArias presents stands Artistic Director Robert Wood, and he conducts the work with enthusiasm and a masterful understanding of its musical structure.”
REPRESENTATIVES
General