Cristian Măcelaru extends contract with Orchestre National de France

Orchestre National de France (ONF) has announced the extension of its contract with conductor Cristian Măcelaru. Having held the role of music director since September 2020, Măcelaru is now set to remain in the role until 2027.

Măcelaru met last week with Sibyle Veil, CEO of Radio France, the national broadcasting service which runs the orchestra, as well as its director of music and cultural creation, Michel Orier, to sign the contract extending his tenure.

In a statement released on social media, Măcelaru said: ‘From the moment I stepped on the podium to conduct Orchestre National de France a little more than 4 years ago, I was immediately embraced by the wonderful musicians. We have made such incredible musical memories together, and also many light-hearted behind-the-scenes moments, as this is one of the most witty, smart, warm, funny groups of people you will meet.’

Alongside his French commitments, Măcelaru is chief conductor of Germany’s WDR Sinfonieorchester, music director of the Cabrillo Festival of Contemporary Music, artistic director of the Interlochen Center for the Arts’ World Youth Symphony Orchestra and artistic director of the George Enescu International Festival and Competition.

Born in Romania and the youngest of ten children, Măcelaru studied at the Interlochen Arts Academy in Michigan, University of Miami in Florida and Rice University in Houston. Măcelaru’s career took off in 2012, when he conducted the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, stepping in for principal guest conductor Pierre Boulez.

Măcelaru was the youngest concertmaster in the history of the Miami Symphony Orchestra and spent three seasons as conductor-in-residence with the Philadelphia Orchestra as well as three seasons as the orchestra’s associate conductor. He was the second conductor ever to receive the Solti Emerging Conductor Award and, in January 2020, received his first GRAMMY® Award for his Decca Classics recording of Wynton Marsalis’ Violin Concerto with Nicola Benedetti and the Philadelphia Orchestra.