ADA Artist Management & Representation

Biography

Conductor Joseph Mechavich wrapped the whole performance in a kind of musically magic aura that resulted in one of the very best all-round productions ever…”

L’elisir d’amore, Dayton Opera, Opera News

Regarded as a conductor of authority and warmth, and known for his thoughtful and idiomatic interpretations, Joseph Mechavich is one of North America’s foremost conductors. A brilliant collaborator, he is extolled for the exceptional artistry and infectious energy and joy he brings to every performance. In April of 2010, he was named Principal Conductor and Music Director for Kentucky Opera and has recently presided over performances Il barbiere di Siviglia at The Washington National Opera, Porgy and Bess at Deutsche Oper Berlin, Madama Butterfly at New York City Opera and Cendrillon at the Aspen Music Festival. The 2011-12 season will find Mo. Mechavich conducting Carmen, Le nozze di Figaro and The Merry Widow for Kentucky Opera, La bohème for Dayton Opera, Susannah for The Florentine Opera, Moby Dick for Calgary Opera, and Roméo et Juliette for Florida Grand Opera.

Critical acclaim abounds for Maestro Mechavich. He has also presided over highly recognized productions for Calgary Opera, Utah Opera, Tulsa Opera, Des Moines Metro Opera, Sugar Creek Festival, Pine Mountain Music Festival, Oberlin Opera Theatre, Lake George Opera Festival, Virginia Opera, Fargo-Moorhead Opera and Spokane Opera. Others companies with which he has collaborated include Austin Lyric Opera, New Orleans Opera, Mobile Opera, Nevada Opera and Berkshire Opera.

On the concert stage, Joseph Mechavich has appeared with the Florida Orchestra, The Oberlin Chamber Orchestra, Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra, Hartford Symphony, Waterbury Symphony, Virginia Symphony and the Sarasota Orchestra; and has shared the stage in gala performances with Denyce Graves and Angela Brown. He has collaborated on ballet productions with the Orlando Ballet, Nutmeg Ballet (CT), and Sarasota Ballet. A frequent recitalist, Mechavich has worked as a pianist in partnership with members of the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra, Minnesota Orchestra, Virginia Symphony and the Orlando Philharmonic.

Maestro Mechavich held the position of Principal Conductor for Opera Birmingham for six seasons (2004-10) conducting the company’s productions of Turandot, Madama Butterfly, La boheme, La traviata, Lucia di Lammermoor, L’elisir d’amore, Aida, La Cenerentola, and Il barbiere di Siviglia. He held the position of cover conductor for The Santa Fe Opera for four seasons, was Director of Music for Orlando Opera for two seasons, and was on the music staff for The Minnesota Opera for five seasons. A native of Long Lake, Minnesota, Joseph Mechavich studied at the Oberlin College Conservatory of Music and the Yale University School of Music.