From July 6th to 10th, the 3rd edition of the Constanta International Conducting Masterclass took place under the music direction and teaching of Gaddiel. 8 conductors from around the world came to learn for a week a vast variety of repertoire and perform and the great hall of the College of the Arts in Constanta. The conductors this year came from France, Spain, USA, Hong Kong, UK, Colombia and Israel. The 8 selected active conductors conducted, as always, every day symphonic and operatic works with soloists Razvan Sararu and Nicoleta Ardelean, from the Constanta State Opera.
The repertoire gave the conductors a great challenge across different styles of music:
P. I. Tchaikovsky | Symphony No. 5 in E minor, Op. 64
G. Verdi | Overture to “Nabucco”
J. Strauss Jr | Overture to “Die Fledermaus”
L. v. Beethoven | Coriolan Overture, Op. 92
W. A. Mozart | Overture to “La Clemenza di Tito”, K. 621
G. Verdi | “Ella mi fu rapita.. Parmi veder le lagrime” from Rigoletto
G. Puccini | Aria: “Vissi d’arte” from Tosca
G. Puccini | Duet: “Qual occhio al mondo” from Tosca
The conductors chosen to participate at the 2026 masterclass were:
Chris Pamela Childs (Britan/Australia)
Albert Baulies (Spain)
Anson Au Yeung (Hong Kong)
Micah Newquist (USA)
Paul Coispeau (France)
Eyal Gesundheit (Israel)
Sean Radermacher (USA)
Juan Felipe Romero Loiaza (Colombia)
This 3rd edition has been at a great level of artistry, with complex and challenging repertoire for the conductors – each bringing their own technique, and hopefully each of them goes back home with insights and better understanding of the mystery art that is conducting. As usual it was amazing to see the constant search with each of them what can get them to the next level, and watching them during the concert made it clear : much progress was made. It was clear the audience recognized that, with their very long standing ovation.
