Matias Tarnopolsky Named Director Of Cal Performances

Matias Tarnopolsky Named Director Of Cal Performances

Currently Vice-President of Artistic Planning at the New York Philharmonic, Tarnopolsky will assume leadership of the 103-year old performing arts organization based at the University of California, Berkeley.

BERKELEY, Calif., May 20 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Robert J. Birgeneau, Chancellor of the University of California, Berkeley, today announced the appointment of Matias Tarnopolsky as Director of Cal Performances, effective August 10, 2009.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20090520/DC20801 )

Hailed "the most adventurous high-quality performing arts organization in the country" by The Wall Street Journal (December 2008), Cal Performances is a destination for internationally celebrated artists and is considered one of the most influential performing arts centers in the world.

"We are truly fortunate to have identified such an accomplished and talented artistic leader in Matias Tarnopolsky," commented Chancellor Birgeneau. "This is an individual with a superior musical intellect, whose enthusiasm for all of the performing arts truly knows no boundary. His distinct artistic vision will enrich the cultural offerings in the greater Bay Area and underscore the significant place that the arts and humanities hold at the University of California."

"I was immediately struck by the vibrancy of the cultural environment at Berkeley and in the quality and variety of the offerings at Cal Performances. This is a rare phenomenon in the world of the performing arts, and it's what makes Cal Performances a special place," remarked Mr. Tarnopolsky. "Berkeley audiences embrace the idea of high-quality, diverse, innovative programming, and they have a great appetite for the exploration and enjoyment of the best that the performing arts have to offer. This is the ideal environment for arts and ideas to flourish."

As Director of Cal Performances, Matias Tarnopolsky is responsible for the overall artistic vision and executive leadership of the performing arts program, encompassing the fields of chamber music, orchestras, opera, early music, new music, vocal and instrumental recitals, classical and modern dance, jazz, world music and dance, theater, and a speakers series. He is also charged with initiating and commissioning new artistic and educational ventures.

Matias Tarnopolsky, 39, is Vice-President for Artistic Planning at the New York Philharmonic, where he has worked extensively with Music Director Lorin Maazel, Music Director Designate Alan Gilbert and other pre-eminent conductors and musicians in creating the artistic profile of the New York Philharmonic. From 1999 to 2006, Mr. Tarnopolsky was Director of Programming, and later, Senior Director of Artistic Planning, at the Chicago Symphony Orchestra (CSO) where he collaborated with Music Director Daniel Barenboim on all aspects of the CSO's programming, and was responsible for Symphony Center Presents, the CSO's prominent presenting series. He also programmed the CSO's training orchestra, the Civic Orchestra of Chicago, and led the artistic planning of the education and community programs. He was previously a producer for the BBC Symphony Orchestra and BBC Singers (1997-1999); and received bachelor's and master's degrees in music and musicology from King's College, London. Mr. Tarnopolsky was born in Buenos Aires (Argentina) and raised in London.

Cal Performances' programmatic origins date back to 1906, when the celebrated French actress Sarah Bernhardt performed for earthquake refugees in UC Berkeley's Hearst Greek Theatre. Since that time, appearances by such renowned performers as Luisa Tetrazzini, Margaret Anglin, George Gershwin, Marian Anderson, Dave Brubeck, Glenn Gould, the Berliner Ensemble, Yo-Yo Ma and Mark Morris Dance Group demonstrate that Berkeley has sufficiently lived up to its reputation as "the Athens of the West."

CONTACT: Christina Kellogg
510-643-6714
ckellogg@calperfs.berkeley

Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20090520/DC20801
http://photoarchive.ap.org/
AP PhotoExpress Network: PRN15
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com
Source: Cal Performances

CONTACT: Christina Kellogg of Cal Performances, +1-510-643-6714,
ckellogg@calperfs.berkeley

Web Site: http://www.calperfs.berkeley.edu/

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