Tugan Sokhiev

Tugan Sokhiev is an Ossetian conductor, trained in Saint Petersburg.

Sokhiev was the music director for Welsh National Opera (WNO) from 2003-2004. It was reported that he was chosen after Vladimir Jurowski had declined an offer from WNO for the music directorship. [ [http://www.telegraph.co.uk/arts/main.jhtml?xml=/arts/2004/02/10/bawales11.xml Rupert Christiansen, "Everyone was nervous of change. I wanted change". Telegraph, 10 February 2004.] ] Having come from Russia, he conducted the Russian opera "Eugene Onegin" with the company. He was also in charge of the Russian Series for W.N.O. which contained works by many famous Russian composers. In a sudden resignation, he left the company in 2004 because of problems with the cast of their new production of Verdi's "La Traviata". He only conducted for the opening night and the second performance at the New Theatre in Cardiff. He had been intended to perform many more works with the company. Being under 30 he was young to be a music director, but stress overtook him and he was not able to go on with the company. General Director of Houston Grand Opera Anthony Freud, who was the General Director of W.N.O. during Sokhiev's tenure, said that he understood his later plans and supported him during his departure. [ [http://arts.guardian.co.uk/news/story/0,,1287897,00.html Charlotte Higgins, "Welsh National Opera's music director quits after discord in company". The Guardian, 21 August 2004.] ]

In 2005 Sokhiev became principal guest conductor and musical adviser with the Orchestre national du Capitole de Toulouse.

Sokhiev has guest conducted the Philharmonia, Sydney Symphony, French National, Royal Concertgebouw, Munich Philharmonic, Bavarian State, City of Birmingham Symphony, Berlin German Symphony and BBC Philharmonic orchestras, among others. He has also conducted in the Mariinsky Theatre and the Metropolitan Opera.

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