Described as a philosopher with a conductor's baton for his
interpretive skills, Christian Knapp has conducted and performed in
festivals and concerts throughout the world. A prizewinner in the Third
International Prokofiev Conducting Competition, he has conducted the New
World Symphony, St. Petersburg Philharmonic, Western Australia Symphony
Orchestra, St.Petersburg State Opera and Ballet, Charleston Symphony
Orchestra and the Volgagrad Orchestra, among many others. As an assistant he
has worked for the Los Angeles Philharmonic, the Hollywood Bowl, the Kirov
Opera under Leonid Korchmar, and with the New World Symphony, London
Symphony Orchestra and Russian National Orchestra under Michael Tilson
Thomas.
In 1999, the Royal College of Music in London awarded Mr. Knapp the
prestigious Woodhouse Junior Fellowship in conducting, where he was in
residence for a year working with RCM's orchestras, new music ensembles and
opera theater. After stepping in as conductor for a performance of
Stravinsky's Rake's Progress with no rehearsal, he was offered the positions
of associate conductor for Broomhill Opera at Wilton's Music Hall in London,
and associate music director and conductor for the South African Academy of
Performing Arts in Cape Town. Since its creation almost two years ago, this
South African opera company has won international praise for its innovative
work. The ensemble's critically acclaimed production of Carmen earned the
group invitations to perform at the Perth Festival, the Queen's Opera
Theater in London, and Spoleto Festival USA.
Born in the United States, Mr. Knapp received a bachelor's degree in
piano performance from New England Conservatory of Music and a bachelor's
degree in philosophy from Tufts University. He earned a post-graduate
diploma in conducting from the St. Petersburg State Conservatory, where he
studied with Ilya Musin and Leonid Korchmar. He also has worked extensively
with John Carewe and Michael Tilson Thomas. He currently serves as Assistant
Conductor of Seattle Symphony.
