Role

:

Conductor

Birth

:

1989 in Athens, Greece

 

George Petrou is a renowned conductor and harpsichordist in the world of classical music. He was born on December 23, 1975, in Athens, Greece. Petrou grew up in a family of musicians, and his parents were both music teachers. His father was a pianist, and his mother was a singer. Petrou started playing the piano at the age of five and later learned to play the harpsichord. Petrou studied music at the Athens Conservatory and later at the Hochschule für Musik und Theater in Munich, Germany. He also studied with renowned harpsichordist and conductor Ton Koopman in Amsterdam. Petrou's talent and dedication to music were evident from a young age, and he quickly gained recognition as a rising star in the classical music world. Petrou's career as a conductor began in 1998 when he founded the period-instrument ensemble Armonia Atenea. The ensemble quickly gained a reputation for its innovative and dynamic performances of Baroque and Classical music. Petrou's leadership and musical vision helped Armonia Atenea become one of the most respected period-instrument ensembles in Europe. Petrou's conducting career has taken him to some of the world's most prestigious concert halls and opera houses. He has conducted at the Royal Opera House in London, the Théâtre des Champs-Élysées in Paris, the Teatro alla Scala in Milan, and the Salzburg Festival, among others. Petrou has also collaborated with some of the world's leading soloists, including Cecilia Bartoli, Philippe Jaroussky, and Andreas Scholl. One of Petrou's most significant achievements as a conductor was his critically acclaimed production of Handel's opera "Ariodante" at the Salzburg Festival in 2017. The production was praised for its innovative staging and Petrou's masterful conducting. The performance was later released on DVD and received widespread acclaim from critics and audiences alike. Petrou has also received numerous awards and accolades throughout his career. In 2012, he was awarded the prestigious Cavaliere dell'Ordine della Stella d'Italia by the Italian government for his contributions to Italian culture. In 2015, he was awarded the Echo Klassik Award for his recording of Handel's "Alessandro." Petrou has also been nominated for several Grammy Awards for his recordings with Armonia Atenea. In addition to his work as a conductor, Petrou is also an accomplished harpsichordist. He has performed as a soloist and chamber musician throughout Europe and the United States. Petrou's recordings as a harpsichordist include works by Bach, Scarlatti, and Rameau. Petrou's dedication to music and his innovative approach to conducting have made him one of the most respected and sought-after conductors in the world of classical music. His passion for Baroque and Classical music has inspired audiences and musicians alike, and his contributions to the world of classical music will undoubtedly continue to be felt for years to come.

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