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NEWS AND HIGHLIGHTS:

April 16, 2016 — World premiere of the opera Der Golem by Bernhard Lang at Nationaltheater Mannheim celebrated internationally:

“Joseph Trafton koordiniert vom Pult des großbesetzten und um ein Jazz-Trio erweiterten Orchesters aus das ganze Klang(t)raum-Universum souverän.” (Wiener Zeitung)

“Joseph Trafton dirigiert diese häufig aus ungeraden Takten bestehenden Loops und komplexen Rhythmen so selbstverständlich, als hätte er nie etwas anderes getan. Das Orchester des Nationaltheaters Mannheim groovt sich ohne Reibungsverluste ein in diese musikalische Welt der Patterns, Wiederholungen und feinen Klangdifferenzierungen.” (Neue Musik Zeitung)

“Für den Erfolg der Uraufführung maßgeblich ist der Dirigent Joseph Trafton. Unter seiner Anleitung musiziert das Orchester des Nationaltheaters Mannheim auf hohem Niveau, outen sich einzelne Instrumentalisten als brillante Solisten, bilden sie im Zusammenspiel einen sehr durchsichtigen Klang.” (Opernnetz)

“Va dato comunque atto all’ottimo lavoro di concertazione del direttore Joseph Trafton sui validissimi strumentisti dell’orchestra del Nationaltheater” (Il Giornale della Musica)

“Joseph Trafton sorgt am Pult des Orchesters für Straffheit, Transparenz und Lockerheit.” (Der Standard)

November 18, 2015 — Vienna debut with the Ensemble PHACE for the Festival Wien Modern, performing Bernhard Lang’s “Moving Architecture.”  Invited to return and conduct new pieces by Schurig, Jarrell, Lang, and others in the fall of 2016 in Strasbourg and Vienna.

May, 5, 2015 — Revival of Mozart’s La Nozze di Figaro in Mannhem praised:

“Joseph Trafton and the National Theater Orchestra in best form were rewarded with prolonged applause for their lively and nimble-footed Mozart interpretation.  In this team La Nozze di Figaro has the wonderful prospects  to become again a highlight of the opera repertoire.”  Mannheimer Morgen

January 1, 2015 — Jumped in to conduct the New Year’s Concert of Haydn’s Die Jahreszeiten on six hours notice in place of ailing General Music Director Dan Ettinger.

“Joseph Trafton then shined in conducting “Fall” and “Winter.”  The concentration in the whole house, from the top choir row until the last row of the audience appeared to be gripped in their seats; seldom in the middle of the Winter has there been so little coughing.  And hardly had the last note sounded, before the house “exploded” in thunderous applause that literally shook the walls.  The audience clapped as if in a frenzy – celebrating the conversion of a disaster into a grandiose New Year’s good fortune.”  Mannheimer Morgen

December 13,2014 —  Premiere of Lehàr’s Die Lustige Witwe in Mannheim:

“Under the direction of Joseph Trafton the National Theater Orchester played so smoothly and elegantly, that it sounded as luxurious, as if they were playing the “Rosenkavalier.”  Rhein-Neckar Zeitung

Trafton is currently 1st Kapellmeister at the Nationaltheater Mannheim, awarded 2014-15 Opera House of the Year, and regularly conducts as a guest symphony orchestras and new music ensembles in Austria, Switzerland, and France.  His broad repertoire includes Der Golem (UA), La Traviata, Der fliegende Holländer, Il barbiere di Siviglia, Eugen Onegin, Die Lustige Witwe, La Bohéme, Madama Butterfly, Carmen, Der Freischütz, L’Elisir d’Amore, Cavalleria Rusticana, Pagliacci, The Idiot (Weinberg). In addition, he conducts family symphonic concerts including Stravinsky’s Firebird Suite, Dvorak’s New World Symphony, Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition, Ravel’s Ma Mere L’oye Suite, Milhaud’s Le Boeuf sur le Toit and many more.

Photo: The eminent Bernhard Haitink gives guidance.