Raffaele Ponti, Music Director

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Winning admirers and exciting audiences, conductor Raffaele Ponti is known as an artist of dynamic personality, charismatic performances, and superb musicianship. The Chicago Courier News writes, "Maestro Ponti is a rising star, someone gaining international acclaim and attention. He has a tremendous zest for music, an exuberance recalling both the roar and rush of a roller coaster ride. Fans worldwide say that his passion shows. Ponti brings an exhilarating energy level to center stage. It's an electrifying swagger-empowering and enabling him to pull music from light to darkness and back again."

David Kim, Concertmaster of the Philadelphia Orchestra writes, “Maestro Ponti is first and foremost, a wonderful and natural musician.

This season marks Ponti’s 12th season as music director of the Genesee Symphony Orchestra (NY), credited with not only helping build audiences in the Genesee region, but also bringing the orchestra along musically and professionally. In addition, this is his 8th season as music director of the Genesee Valley Orchestra and Chorus (NY), and since 2000, he has conducted all of the Austin Symphony’s (TX) Youth, Family, Outreach, and High School Concerts reaching more than 250,000 students. In 2000, he was named principal conductor and music director of Italia Konzert Opera International, Italy’s largest touring opera company, and the Tuscan Opera Festival in Florence, Italy. He continues these affiliations as guest conductor. In 2009-2010 Raffaele makes his debut with the Paducah Symphony (KY), and in 2010-2011 will conduct the New York State All-State Orchestra at the Eastman Theater in Rochester, New York.

His musical studies began on violin, piano and trumpet. By age 17, he was performing in the trumpet section of the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra, and two years later was asked to play assistant principal trumpet to Bernard Adelstein of the Cleveland Orchestra. Working with conductors Lorin Maazel, Yoel Levi, Klaus Tennstedt and Sir Colin Davis inspired Raffaele to study conducting with Maestro Giuseppe Sinopoli and the Orchestra dell'Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia in Rome, Italy. As a conductor whose career began in the orchestra, Ponti feels it essential to tap into the orchestra’s heart and soul, inspiring the musicians and instilling in them a sense of creative enthusiasm.

As a member of the Eastern Brass Quintet, he toured the USA and performed at the Casals Music Festival. He is a graduate of the Cleveland Institute of Music and has won numerous awards including 2nd prizewinner of the Mario Gusella International Conductors Competition in Pescara, Italy; Italian Musician of the Year, from the Sons of Italy; and the Bernard Adelstein Prize from the Cleveland Institute of Music.

In the 2008-2009 season, he made debuts with Orchestra of the Southern Finger Lakes, Utica Symphony, Schenectady Symphony Orchestra, and the Montreal Summer Opera Festival. He continues his affiliations with the Austin Symphony, ltalia Konzert Opera International, Empire State Lyric Theatre, Rochester Sinfonietta and Festival di Musica da Camera. Other recent appearances include the Sofia Symphony Orchestra, Pescara Symphony Orchestra, Siena Symphony Orchestra, Pescara Chamber Orchestra, Sofia Opera Orchestra, Teatro Lirico di Europe, Toscana Opera Festival, Varna State Opera Orchestra, Elgin Symphony Orchestra, Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra, Billings Symphony Orchestra, Genesee Symphony Orchestra and Genesee Valley Orchestra and Chorus.

His opera triumphs with the Italian public have included performances of Tosca, Il Trovatore, Nabucco, Madama Butterfly, L'Elisir d'amore, Carmen, Aida, La Bohème, La Traviata and Rigoletto.

Diana Eblen, Director of Education with the Austin Symphony writes, “Ponti is passionate about music and conducting and that passion shines through when he steps onto the podium, a living embodiment of “Connecting People to the Symphony.” A dynamic personality with excellent people skills makes him a favorite with everyone, orchestra, audience, board members and sponsors. And his commitment to excellence is evident throughout his performances. His deep knowledge of repertoire and resourcefulness reflects his outstanding programming.”

Raffaele's engaging personality, passionate pursuit of musical excellence and elegant style reflect his extensive conducting experience in Europe and now in North America, conducting many of the world's finest orchestras and soloists.