biography

Born in Braunschweig in 1979, the young German conductor Michael Balke led his first opera at the age of 19 at the Cincinnati Conservatory where he received a full scholarship to study conducting under Christopher Zimmerman and piano under Frank Weinstock, as well as Elizabeth and Eugene Pridonoff. He worked regularly with the members of the legendary LaSalle Quartet, Peter Oundjian, Menahem Pressler and the Tokyo String Quartet and graduated in 2001 with highest distinction (summa cum laude). He continued his studies in Luebeck, Germany with renowned Arrau-student James Tocco.

In the 2010 season he conducted "Carmen" at the Magdeburg Opera, and - like in previous years - concerts with the members of the Nationaltheater Mannheim Orchestra. In 2009 he led the revival of Verdi's "La Traviata" at the Mannheim National Theatre (Achim Freyer production), since 2008 he has been assistant of Riccardo Frizza (e.g. for "Carmen" at the Circuito Lombardo). He was invited by Zubin Mehta for the rehearsals of the new production of Verdi's "Forza del destino" at the Vienna State Opera, and was musical assistant of Alessandro de Marchi at the Teatro Donizetti in Bergamo ("Elisir d'amore") where he also got to work with the Orchestra del Bergamo Musica Festival. Furthermore he was the assistant of György Ráth (former Music Director of Hungarian State Opera) at the Mannheim National Theatre for "Rigoletto". From 2004 - 2006 he has served as conductor and Associate Musical Director at the Hamburg Chamber Opera leading more than 70 performances (including guest performances in Shanghai, China) among others "Le nozze di Figaro", "Così fan tutte", "Il barbiere di Siviglia". Engagements of recent years also led him to conduct concerts with "I Concertisti della Fenice" (Chamber Orchestra of the Teatro La Fenice) in Venice, as well as the Budapest MAV Symphony Orchestra and the Hamburg Symphony Orchestra. As coach/pianist he worked at the Opera Bonn, the Hamburg State Opera and the State Theatre Braunschweig.

Michael Balke is Artistic Director of the TON:arten Festival in the Black Forest which he founded in 2006. In 2005 he was named Artistic Director of the Hamburg Opernsalon, a concert series that regularly presents young internationally successful singers (among others in cooperation with the Hamburg State Opera and the Hamburg Symphony Orchestra). He has also taught as faculty member of the “International Institute of Vocal Arts” in Italy.

As chamber musician and accompanist of singers he regularly plays concerts, e.g. at the Rheingau Music Festival, Int. Richard-Wagner-Days (Venice), Academie Provençale and the Cincinnati Chamber Music Society. He won numerous prizes and awards in Germany and the USA (among them recipient of the Bayreuth Award of the Richard-Wagner-Foundation, Jeunesses Musicales). Several of his concerts were recorded on radio, TV and CD. Since 2007 the father of twin girls has been living near Milan, Italy.