Payare Appointed to Ulster Orchestra, 'El Sistema' to be Introduced into Northern Ireland
Rafael Payare has been appointed Chief Conductor with the Ulster Orchestra, beginning in September when New Yorker JoAnn Falletta’s three-year contract comes to an end.
Dr Rosa Solinas, Chief Executive of the Ulster Orchestra, said: ‘Rafael’s exceptional musicality and his natural command and energy on the podium have impressed everyone. We can’t wait to begin working with him in earnest. We think his fresh approach to music-making – not only in the concert hall but throughout the community – is great news for Belfast and for the whole of Northern Ireland.’
Maestro Payare added: ‘From the moment I first conducted the Ulster Orchestra in October, the players made a great impression on me. The chemistry was immediate and a very special bond was formed. I am really looking forward to embarking on the wonderful journey that is about to start and I am thrilled to share and be part of the Orchestra’s future!’
Winner of the 2012 Malko Conducting Competition, and a former member of the Simón Bolívar Orchestra, Payare, from Venezuela, has previously conducted the Rotterdam Philharmonic, LA Philharmonic, Cincinnati Symphony and the Oslo and Royal Stockholm Philharmonic orchestras. He will conduct the Ulster Orchestra as Guest Conductor for a BBC concert in the Ulster Hall in March.
Among the Orchestra’s plans for 2014-15 are the introduction into Northern Ireland of the renowned ‘El Sistema’ musical programme for social inclusion, which began in Venezuela and which was recently introduced into England and Scotland.
Watch a video about ‘El Sistema’ in Scotland below.