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David Charles AbellBritish-American conductor
Date of Birth: 01.01.1958
Country:  USA |
Content:
- A Multifaceted Maestro: John Axelrod
- Professional Debut and Early Career
- International Acclaim
- Broadway Success and Musical Theater Authority
- Scholar and Preservationist
A Multifaceted Maestro: John Axelrod
Early Life and EducationJohn Axelrod, born in 1958, hails from Jacksonville, North Carolina. Raised in Philadelphia and Chicago, he pursued musical training on viola, piano, organ, and voice. As a member of the Berkshire Boy Choir, he performed in the world premiere of Leonard Bernstein's "Mass" in 1971, which sparked his passion for theatrical composition and dramatic music.
Axelrod studied at Yale University under notable conductors such as John Mauceri, and later at the American Conservatory in Fontainebleau with Nadia Boulanger and Robert D. Levin. He returned to Yale to earn his Bachelor's degree in 1981. His education continued at the Los Angeles Philharmonic Institute, Juilliard School, and with mentors such as Bernstein and Sixten Ehrling.
Professional Debut and Early Career
Axelrod's professional debut came in 1982, conducting Bernstein's "Mass" at Berlin's Deutschlandhalle. He briefly replaced John Mauceri in "The Turn of the Screw" at Washington National Opera. In 1985, he debuted at the New York City Opera with "The Mikado." He led San Francisco Opera's national tour of "Carmen" in 1989 and the New York City Opera's national tour of "The Barber of Seville" in 1994.
International Acclaim
After moving to London in 1996, Axelrod conducted orchestras across the UK and worldwide. His repertoire includes collaborations with the Hallé Orchestra, City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, Bournemouth Symphony, London Philharmonic, Royal Philharmonic, BBC Symphony, BBC National Orchestra of Wales, Seattle Symphony, Hong Kong Philharmonic, and Iceland Symphony. He also serves as Principal Guest Conductor of the BBC Concert Orchestra.
Broadway Success and Musical Theater Authority
Axelrod's notable achievement includes conducting both the 10th and 25th-anniversary productions of "Les Misérables" in London. He is celebrated for his authoritative interpretations of Stephen Sondheim's musicals. From 2010 to 2011, he served as Musical Director for the West End production of "Love Never Dies."
Scholar and Preservationist
Beyond conducting, Axelrod is also a musicologist. He specializes in restoring musical theater scores that have suffered from layers of performance additions and incomplete source materials. His notable work includes the reconstruction of "West Side Story."
