Israel Gursky
Conductor
Israel Gursky, a rising young conductor, has been praised by the Washington Post for his "superb debut" with the Washington National Opera in 2007, leading performances of Don Giovanni. This past summer, Maestro Gursky led a concert with Plácido Domingo and Virginia Tola in Quebec which was televised live throughout Canada. He also conducted a gala concert in Pecs, Hungary, which featured Mr. Domingo along with winners of the Operalia competition. Upcoming performances include a return to Los Angeles Opera for Le Nozze di Figaro, Hänsel und Gretel at PORTopera, and Faust at Opera Birmingham.
During the 2008-2009 season, Maestro Gursky conducted performances of Howard Shore's opera The Fly at Los Angeles Opera; a critically acclaimed Roméo et Juliette at PORTopera (Portland, Maine); and Albert Herring at the University of Michigan. He has also conducted in several concerts with the orchestra of the Washington National Opera, including performances with Plácido Domingo and Andrea Bocelli.
Maestro Gursky has been an assistant conductor with the Washington National Opera since 2001, and has prepared more than 30 operas for the company. He has also served as assistant conductor and chorus master for the Wolf Trap Opera company from 2000 to 2006.
A frequent recital collaborator, he has performed with many singers including Anna Tomowa-Sintow, Bejun Mehta, Kate Aldrich, Laquita Mitchell, Paul Sperry and Eric Cutler in venues that include Avery Fisher Hall, Alice Tully Hall, Weill Recital Hall and the 92nd St. He has appeared on French television, A&E channel's "Breakfast with the Arts" and on numerous radio broadcasts.
A native of Tel Aviv, Israel, he is a graduate of Manhattan School of Music and of Stony Brook University, where he earned his doctorate. Maestro Gursky was recently the winner of a conducting award from the George Solti Foundation. He serves on the faculty on Manhattan School of Music and resides in New York City.