Mr. Castagner made his Metropolitan Opera debut in the 2002-2003 season as the First Prisoner in FIDELIO and returned to the stage during the 2003-2004 season as the Second Watchman in DIE FRAU OHNE SCHATTEN.

Formed in 2005, the Escher String Quartet has attracted the attention of numerous artists who immediately admired the young ensemble for their individual sound, bold artistic decisions and unique cohesiveness.

With her naturally rich, distinctive sound and luminous stage presence characterized by poise and integrity, Finnish mezzo-soprano Monica Groop enjoys a multi-faceted career combining operatic, recital, symphonic and chamber music engagements with a discography of critically acclaimed recordings....

Ms. Hagner possesses an aristocratic elegance that represents an overall understanding well beyond her years.

Benjamin Hochman is gaining widespread acclaim for his performances as soloist, recitalist and chamber musician. An imaginatively mature artist, Mr. Hochman's innate ability to combine beauty of line within the overall shape of a piece sets him apart from other young pianists.

Mr. Kirshbaum enjoys exploring the riches of chamber music and has collaborated with numerous musicians including Pinchas Zukerman, Itzhak Perlman, Gil Shaham, Yefim Bronfman, Garrick Ohlsson and the Juilliard and Tokyo String Quartets.

Ms. Murphy has established a reputation not only for her radiant musicianship and impeccable vocal technique, but also for her warm personality and generosity of spirit.

Since its inception, the Orion String Quartet has been consistently praised for the fresh perspective and individuality it brings to performances of a broad range of repertoire.

During the next few seasons, the focus of Mr. Schiff's orchestral activities will be conducting programs of Bach, Beethoven and Mozart from the keyboard.

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Nathaniel Webster is developing a fine reputation on both the operatic and concert stage. A graduate of the Eastman School of Music and the Royal Scottish Academy of Music in Glasgow, Mr. Webster recently completed two years at the Paris Opera's Centre de Formation Lyrique.

In the summer of 2003, the ensemble, formerly known as the NAC Chamber Players, performed at the Ravinia, Verbier, Schleswig-Holstein, Tivoli (Denmark) and Musica Mundi (Belgium) Festivals, as well as the Festival of the Sound and Domaine Forget in its native Canada, all to great critical acclaim.

Equally respected as a violinist, violist, conductor, pedagogue and chamber musician, Pinchas Zukerman is indeed a master of our time.

Founded in 1874 by a group of visionary Jewish leaders, the 92nd Street Y has grown into a wide-ranging cultural, educational and community center serving people of all races, faiths and backgrounds. The 92nd Street Y's mission is to enrich the lives of the over 300,000 people who visit each...

The Dublin International Piano Competition was inaugurated in 1988. A triennial event, the Competition has grown in stature, and now ranks with the most important such international events, not least for its generous first prize monies, but more importantly for the prestigious list of engagements....

The Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra is a dynamic ensemble of some of the world's finest musicians. The fifth oldest symphony in the United States and the oldest orchestra in Ohio, the CSO has played a leading role in the cultural life of Greater Cincinnati and the Midwest since its founding in 1895.

Founded in Cleveland in 1975, the Cleveland International Piano Competition has supported some of the world's most promising young pianists for 30 years and presents the largest cash prize of any contest of its kind worldwide, known as the Mixon First Prize in honor of its sponsors, Mr. and Mrs. A....

Throughout its 27-year history, the Emerson String Quartet has garnered an international reputation for groundbreaking chamber music projects and correlated recordings for Deutsche Grammophon.

The Israel Philharmonic Orchestra is one of Israel's oldest and most influential cultural institutions. Since its founding in 1936, the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra has dedicated itself to presenting the world's greatest music to audiences in Israel and around the world. Founded by Polish violinist...

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Pianist Orli Shaham has established an impressive international reputation as one of today's most gifted young pianists.

A proponent of contemporary works, Mr. Spano has reinstated regular performances of 20th and 21st century repertoire including Jennifer Higdon's City Scape, which is the ASO's first commission in six years, as well as world premieres of ASO-commissioned works.