Biography

Taking to the stage at the Malko finals on 12 May, the 32-year-old led the Danish National Symphony Orchestra with passion and flair.”
“Conducting the prelude to the second act of Carl Nielsen's opera Saul and David and the first movement of Tchaikovsky's 4th Symphony, it was clear he also captivated the huge audience that had packed into the stunning concert hall of the Danish Broadcasting Corporation (DR)."  
Clare Wiley, International Arts Manager, May 2012

Rafael Payare recently gained worldwide recognition as a result of winning the 2012 Malko Competition in Copenhagen. Since he began his formal conducting studies in 2004 with José Antonio Abreu, Rafael has developed a flourishing career, having conducted all the major orchestras in Venezuela including the Simón Bolívar Orchestra both in Caracas and in Toronto as part of their 2009 Canadian tour. Maestro Abreu remains Rafael’s principal conducting mentor.

In the coming seasons, Rafael will debut with the Munich Philharmonic, Orchestre National du Capitole de Toulouse, City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra, Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra, Hamburger Symphoniker and will make his North American subscription debut with the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra. 

As an assistant conductor, he has worked under Gustavo Dudamel, most notably for his co-production of “Carmen” with the Teatro alla Scala, as well as for the Simón Bolívar Orchestra’s 2010 European tour. Rafael also served as assistant conductor to Claudio Abbado for his performance of Tchaikovsky’s Sixth Symphony with the Simón Bolívar Orchestra, and in August 2010, Daniel Barenboim personally invited him to observe his rehearsals with the West-Eastern Divan Orchestra in preparation for their international tour. Rafael was also selected to participate in Bernard Haitink’s Luzern master-classes in April 2011 and March 2012 and will be an LA Philharmonic fellow during the 2012 – 13 Season.

This biography is updated regularly. Please contact Terry Shew or Olivia Patton for the most recent version and destroy any previously held material.  All editing should be approved by Askonas Holt . For further information please contact Terry Shew or Olivia Patton at Askonas Holt Ltd.