Greek conductor George Petrou enjoyed a successful career as a concert pianist before gradually turning to conducting. He now has a flourishing international career and is currently considered as one of the world’s leading Handel specialists. From 2022, he will be the Artistic Director of the Internationale Händel-Festspiele Göttingen. He regularly collaborates with renowned orchestras in a very wide repertoire, ranging from baroque to contemporary music. He is the Artistic Director of the renowned Athens-based orchestra Armonia Atenea, which tours and records extensively, performing on both period and modern instruments. This evening’s concert marks his debut leading the NAC Orchestra.
George Petrou is a very active opera conductor with an emphasis on historically informed practices, not only in baroque music but also in later repertoire. He is a regular guest of major opera houses and has lately developed an interest in staging, having signed several successful productions of musical theatre and opera.
George Petrou has released many recordings on the Deutsche Grammophon, Decca and MDG labels. His recording of Handel’s Tamerlano for MDG received the prestigious ECHO Klassik award in 2008, and Handel’s Ottone, released by Decca, was nominated for a GRAMMY®. The French government awarded him the title of “Chevalier de l’ordre des Arts et des Lettres.”