“Kamensek is experienced in Glass’s operas, and under her the orchestra sounded right at home. There was an excellent balance of instrumental colors—and with the singers—and the playing had focus and equipoise, the kind of warmth one can feel, and it flowed and built a profoundly affecting momentum while always held with a light and certain grip.” – New York Classical Review, 2019
About Karen
Grammy Award-winning conductor Karen Kamensek’s expansive artistry coupled with her deep commitment for championing composers of the 20th and 21st century is reflected in her work in both the opera house and on the concert stage. This season, as a testament to her remarkable versatility as a musician, she makes several important debuts. From Puccini’s Tosca with London’s Royal Opera House to the world premiere of Adam Schoenberg’s Cool Cat with the Los Angeles Philharmonic to Prokofiev’s Piano Concerto No. 2 with the Seattle Symphony and soloist Jan Lisiecki, each debut showcases her unique ability to adroitly straddle a diverse repertoire.
Ms. Kamensek’s 2023/24 season is one of no less than nine debuts and several high-profile and welcome returns. In addition to her first time leading the Royal Opera, the Los Angeles Philharmonic, and the Seattle Symphony she will also make debuts with the Sydney Symphony, Kuopio Symphony Orchestra, Royal Liverpool Philharmonic, Orquestra Filarmónica de Gran Canaria, Orquesta Sinfónica RTVE, and Colorado Symphony. Her return performances are the Norrköping Symphony Orchestra, Opéra Orchestre National Montpellier, Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra, and the Tiroler Symphonierorchester Innsbruck.
Upcoming Performances
Due to the impact of the global pandemic, Ms. Kamensek's upcoming performances are subject to change. Please continue to check her schedule for the most up to date information.
Wednesday, September 6 - 9, 2023
Concert Hall, Sydney Opera House
Sydney, Australia
Nicola Benedetti, violin
Karen Kamensek, conductor
Adams: Short Ride in a Fast Machine
Marsalis: Violin Concerto
Stravinsky: The Firebird (complete)
Tuesday, September 12, 2023
Hollywood Bowl
Los Angeles, CA
Pacific Chorale
Robert Istad, Artistic Director
Anne Akiko Meyers, violin
Karen Kamensek, conductor
Adam Schoenberg: Cool Cat
(world premiere, LA Phil commission)
Philip Glass: Violin Concerto No. 1
Holst: The Planets
“...Karen Kamensek’s authoritative conducting of the Met orchestra...From the start of the overture, the score bathed the ear in textured sound that conveyed, in its gently shifting luminosity, something of the distance of the archaic.”
The Washington Post, 2019
"Kamensek…deservedly earning the biggest applause of the night during the final curtain.”
Opera Wire, 2019
“...conductor Karen Kamensek weaves everything into a wonderful, ever shifting tapestry of sound.”
Bachtrack, 2016
“Keeping it all under a tight rein was conductor Karen Kamensek, making a most laudable ENO debut. The orchestra clearly found her direction stimulating, as they were on top form throughout.”
Seen and Heard International, 2016
Ms. Kamensek talks with Operabiz Podcast host Daniel Welch about making her Metropolitan Opera conducting debut this season, her road to conducting, her collaboration with Philip Glass, and a largely European career. She shares her insights on Glass' music as well as a fresh perspective on life on the podium.
Images
Photo Credit: Todd Rosenberg
Courtesy of the Metropolitan Opera
Photo Credit: Todd Rosenberg
Courtesy of the Metropolitan Opera
Photo Credit: Todd Rosenberg
Photo Credit: Benno Hunziker
Photo Credit: Yossi Zwecker
Photo Credit: Todd Rosenberg
Photo Credit: Benno Hunziker
Photo Credit: Denise Biffar
Contact
For booking information, please contact:
ARSIS Artist Management GmbH
in collaboration with Michael Lewin International
Mag. Gabriele Fauchet
Managing Director
+ 43 699 1075 4898
Kramergasse 9/3, 1010 Vienna, Austria
For public relations inquiries, please contact:
Raechel Alexander
RA Communications