Chicago Sinfonietta announces new Music Director
Time Out Chicago
by Mia Clarke
August 5, 2010
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The CSO isn’t the only orchestra gearing up for a new chapter in its history. The Chicago Sinfonietta, which proudly lays claim to being the nation’s most diverse orchestra, has been under the direction of founder, Maestro Paul Freeman, since its inception in 1987. The
74-year-old will retire at the close of the 2010-11 season, although he’ll stick around as Music Director Emeritus after laying down his baton.
The international, two-year search for a candidate to fill Mr. Freeman’s place on the podium is finally over. Taiwan-born conductor Mei-Ann Chen will be in residence with the Chicago Sinfonietta for eight weeks a season, during which she will conduct four concerts and spend four weeks engaged in planning, fundraising and reaching out to the local community. Although Chen will round up a highly successful tenure as assistant conductor of the Baltimore Symphony this summer, the popular conductor has also accepted a three-year appointment as the Music Director of the Memphis Symphony Orchestra beginning this season.
The energetic, elegant 37-year-old made her awe-inspiring Sinfonietta podium debut in October 2009 for the orchestra’s season opener concert, West Meets East.
“I am thrilled to be given the opportunity to embrace diversity and inclusion through musical excellence and to build upon Maestro Freeman’s incredible legacy with the Chicago Sinfonietta,” said Maestra Chen.
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