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James ConlonAmerican conductor
Date of Birth: 18.03.1950
Country:  USA |
Content:
Biography of James Conlon
James Conlon, an American conductor, gained his fame for reviving interest in the music of composers oppressed during the Nazi regime. Conlon conducts operas, symphonic and choral works. He is the music director of the Los Angeles Opera, the Ravinia Festival, the summer home of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, and the May Festival in Cincinnati.
Early Life and Education
James Conlon, one of five children in his family, was born on March 18, 1950, in Queens, New York City. His mother, Angelin, was a freelance writer, and his father was an assistant commissioner of labor for New York City in Robert F. Wagner's administration. Neither his parents nor his siblings had a inclination for music. At the age of eleven, James participated in a production of "La traviata" in an amateur troupe created by his mother's friend, who happened to be the mother of his best friend. Asking for music lessons, James achieved his desire and became a boy soprano in a children's choir in Queens. He dreamed of becoming a tenor and later a baritone who would be given the opportunity to sing in "Carmen". Eventually, he realized that all his "opera dreams" could come true if he became a conductor. At the age of fifteen, James entered the Fiorello H. La Guardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts. At eighteen, he was accepted for conducting training at the Aspen Music Festival and School. In September 1968, Conlon entered The Juilliard School, and after two years, he embarked on a Juilliard educational tour in Europe. In 1971, he was invited to Spoleto, where he worked as a tutor and chorus conductor. At this stage of his career, Conlon conducted "Boris Godunov" opera. James noted that he fell in love with opera at a young age and that in his dreams he imagined "Boris Godunov" as his debut opera. In 1972, Thomas Schippers, who was supposed to conduct "La bohème" in a production by Michael Cacoyannis, suddenly left the project. Maria Callas, who was giving a series of masterclasses at Juilliard, heard Conlon during a rehearsal. She suggested to Peter Mennin, the president of Juilliard, to consider Conlon as a replacement. Conlon received a conducting award from the American Symphony Orchestra League and in 1974 became the youngest conductor engaged by the New York Philharmonic. In 1976, he made his debut at the Metropolitan Opera and on the British stage at the Scottish Opera.
Professional Career
James Conlon was appointed Music Director of the Cincinnati May Festival in 1979, where he performed every year thereafter. After working with the Paris Opera, at the Maggio Musicale in Florence, with the Rotterdam Philharmonic, and the Lyric Opera of Chicago, Conlon was appointed General Music Director of the Cologne Opera in 1989. In 1996, he became the Music Director of the Paris National Opera, concurrently serving in the same position in Cologne. After his debut with the New York Philharmonic in 1974, where he was invited by Pierre Boulez, Conlon appeared with nearly all major North American and European orchestras. He worked with many opera companies around the world, including La Scala in Milan and the Royal Opera at Covent Garden in London. For almost 30 years, while maintaining his relationship with the Metropolitan Opera, where Conlon first made his mark in 1976, he conducted over 250 performances at this opera house. During this time, he dealt with Italian, German, French, Russian, and Czech repertoire. In the 2006-2007 opera season, Conlon remained the Music Director of the Los Angeles Opera. Here he presented a music series entitled "Recovered Voices", which featured operas by composers who suffered under the Nazi regime. The series included Alexander von Zemlinsky's "Der Zwerg" and Viktor Ullmann's "Der zerbrochene Krug", as well as operas by Franz Schreker and Walter Braunfels. With the aim of fostering and preserving Wagnerian traditions in Los Angeles, James conducted a cycle of seven works by Richard Wagner at the Los Angeles Opera. "Der Ring des Nibelungen" was presented in Los Angeles in the 2008-2009 opera season. In 2013, Conlon, who has been studying the works of Benjamin Britten throughout his life, showcased his passion in presenting the works of the British composer in America and Europe. James led the memorable project "Britten 100/LA: A Celebration", which included not only performances but also conferences and exhibitions.
Teaching and Personal Life
Conlon conducts an orchestra responsible for the musical material in Kenneth Branagh's film "The Magic Flute" (2006), a film adaptation of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's opera. The film is set during World War I. It was released in Europe but, as of April 2010, has not made it to screens in the United States. James is a proponent of working with young musicians preparing to enter the professional level. In addition to his ongoing involvement with Juilliard ensembles, Conlon dedicates his time to teaching at the Tanglewood Music Center. Since 1997, he has been actively involved in the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition, where he conducts during the final round. He has also prepared a comprehensive program that includes masterclasses and coaching for competition finalists. On January 9, 1987, Conlon married soprano Jennifer Ringo, who is also a vocal coach. The couple has two daughters, Emma and Louise. The latter was named after Giuseppe Verdi's opera "Luisa Miller".
