DAVID STERN
conductor
News
Palm Beach Opera Announces David Stern as Music Director
West Palm Beach, FL (August 26, 2024) – Palm Beach Opera announces the contract extension of internationally-acclaimed conductor David Stern through the 2026-2027 season with the new title of Music Director. Maestro Stern has served as Palm Beach Opera’s Chief Conductor since 2015, an appointment that was made following his impressive musical leadership of the company’s world premiere of Enemies, A Love Story by Ben Moore and Nahma Sandrow.
Solomon by William Boyce
William Boyce, a contemporary of Handel, wrote his Seranata when Handel spent 9 months in Dublin. Based on the Song of Song of Solomon, the libretto is a delightful collection of erotic poetry from the bible, scored for two shepherds, a tenor and a soprano, chorus and orchestra.
Hercules
Contrary to the claims of the reference edition, Hercules is not an oratorio. Handel always wanted it to be considered a musical drama, and thus an opera in English. In order to reinforce the dramatic tension and to give Hercules its operatic colors, David Stern proposes an interpretation based on the original manuscript and the reworkings that Handel made in 1749 and 1752.
Calendar
Solomon Serenade, William Boyce
Hercules, Handel
Roméo et Juliette by Gounod
Biography
DAVID STERN is an international conductor, creator of original projects, champion of rare works and mentor to tomorrow’s singers. Newly appointed Music Director of the Palm Beach Opera after 10 years of serving as Chief Conductor, he has also been Music Director of the Israel Opera in Tel Aviv, the Opera St Gallen in Switzerland, and previously led the Philharmonie Südwestfalen in Germany. In 2003 he founded Opera Fuoco, the independent, Paris-based opera company, adding to it its much lauded Young Artists program in 2008. The program has since nurtured some of the most important voices in Europe today. The company has just begun a three-year residency at the Paris area Opéra de Massy for bi-annual productions which serve as a platform for young artists to collaborate with renowned or emerging stage directors, choreographers, choruses, and ensembles.
Collaborations
Press
South Florida Classical Review – Così Fan Tutte
“But the success of the production on opening night really rested on the quality of the musical performances. With six vibrant singers and a fine orchestral performance under chief conductor David Stern, the production brought Mozart’s music to vivid life.” February 2023
Palm Beach Arts Paper review of Così Fan Tutte
“Under the direction of Music Director David Stern, the production (…) was a success in all fronts, starting with a superlative Palm Beach Opera Orchestra. On opening night, the ensemble was in top form, its principals delivering technically flawless solos and giving the soloists on the stage a sensitive and flexible foundation.” February 2023
Opera Online review of We are eternal
“David Stern leads a polished instrumental ensemble … Under his precise direction, the musical numbers are well-balanced and atmospherically well-defined.” January 2023
