Cristian Mǎcelaru appointed Distinguished Visiting Artist at Rice University
Photo Credit: Ben Knabe
Musical powerhouses strengthen offerings at Rice’s Shepherd School of Music
By Brandi Smith
Rice News
August 19, 2024
Rice University’s Shepherd School of Music is celebrating the appointment of alumnus Cristian Măcelaru and the addition of opera luminary Patrick Summers to its faculty. Măcelaru will serve as distinguished visiting artist from the 2025-26 season through 2027-28, building on the conductor’s array of international roles in classical music. Summers, the artistic and music director of Houston Grand Opera (HGO), will assume the role of distinguished lecturer in opera studies, collectively bringing unparalleled expertise and a deep commitment to nurturing the next generation of musical talent.
Măcelaru, who studied with the late Larry Rachleff and received degrees from Rice in 2006 and 2008, is currently the music director of the Orchestre National de France and Music Director Designate of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra. He recently led the Orchestre National de France in the opening ceremony of the 2024 Paris Olympics. He also serves as artistic director of the George Enescu International Festival and Competition, artistic director and principal conductor of the Interlochen Center for the Arts’ World Youth Symphony Orchestra, music director and conductor of the Cabrillo Festival of Contemporary Music and chief conductor of the WDR Sinfonieorchester in Cologne, Germany, where he will serve through the 2024-25 season and continue as artistic partner for the 2025-26 season. In 2020, Măcelaru received a GRAMMY® Award for conducting the Decca Classics recording of Wynton Marsalis’ violin concerto with Nicola Benedetti and The Philadelphia Orchestra.
With this new appointment, Măcelaru continues his work as an enthusiastic mentor and advocate for young musicians that includes his work with the Interlochen Center, his programs for young musicians and families at the Cabrillo Festival and the master classes he leads at the George Enescu Festival.
“It’s no secret to those who know me that I have always placed an important focus on education and meeting young musicians at all stages of their artistic development,” Mӑcelaru said. “I’m very happy to be more involved working with the highly accomplished young artists at the Shepherd School.”
In his annual residencies, Mӑcelaru will collaborate with Distinguished Resident Director of Orchestras Miguel Harth-Bedoya on a range of activities, including coaching ensembles, judging competitions, workshopping new compositions, guiding mock auditions, participating in special projects and helping to mentor both undergraduate and graduate students.
“Cristian Mӑcelaru’s return to the Shepherd School is a homecoming we’ve all been eagerly anticipating,” said Shepherd School Dean Matthew Loden. “Cristi is a brilliant musician and having him at Shepherd in a more official, ongoing capacity solidifies our commitment to attracting the world’s best talent for our students. We are honored to welcome him back to his musical alma mater to guide the next generation of musicians.”
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