| Kristof Van Gryspeer |
| Conductor |
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| Kristof Van Gryspeer, a native of Belgium, is emerging as a
thrilling talent in the conducting world. The Orange County Register
recently hailed him as “gifted and stylistically impeccable.” With a
strong background and knowledge of the vocal repertoire Van Gryspeer is
Music Director and conductor of several operatic organizations, such as
SongFest’s Young Artist opera program and Angels Vocal Arts Center,
which organizes workshops with Italian tenor Carlo Bergonzi. Last season, the Baltimore Opera appointed Van Gryspeer as Music Director for their Young Artist program, which culminated in conducting L'Elisir d'Amore. The Bakersfield Symphony engaged him as Music Director for their operatic concerts, such as Fidelio and highlights of Le Nozze di Figaro. In 2003, named acting Music Director of the USC Opera, he prepared and conducted The Magic Flute, The Impresario, Gianni Schicchi and Cosi fan Tutte. Van Gryspeer recently worked as assistant conductor for the Long Beach Opera (The Ring), and as Music Director for the Intimate Opera Company (Hansel and Gretel), for which in the fall he will also be conducting Mozart’s The Abduction from the Seraglio and Menotti’s Amahl and the Night Visitors. Current projects include engagements with Opera Pacific. As Music Director of the Belgian Royal Choir De Mandelgalm and founder of his own orchestra Arte Nobile, Van Gryspeer conducted Haydn’s The Creation among others. He served as chorus master and associate conductor for Volo di Notte, Il Tabarro, Jenufa, La Périchole and Trois Opéras Minutes at the Long Beach Opera. In 2003 he returned as guest conductor and premiered Nicholas Chase’s Twenty-two (Taker of the Total Chance). Van Gryspeer served as chorus master at the Aspen Opera Center and also participated in the Tanglewood Music Center Vocal Program, where he coached Ligeti’s Grand Macabre. He was on staff at the California Conducting Workshop where he taught vocal coaching. Van Gryspeer has been honored with numerous awards and fellowships, including the prestigious Fulbright Grant. At the USC Thornton School of Music, he completed a Doctorate and two Master of Music degrees, all with highest honors, with major fields in keyboard collaborative arts and orchestral conducting. 6/13/06 |