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Elmira Darvarova

A concert violinist since the age of 4, Elmira Darvarova was the first woman-concertmaster in the history of the Metropolitan Opera, and is currently President of the New York Chamber Music Festival.

About Me

ELMIRA DARVAROVA, Concert Violinist

“…Sweet, flexible tone... “ THE NEW YORK TIMES;

“…Flawless technique....A night to remember... “ THE CHICAGO TRIBUNE;

“…Enchantingly charismatic…Razor-edge accuracy....Mesmerizing…” FANFARE MAGAZINE;

“Intoxicating tonal beauty…Silky-smooth voluptuous tone…” THE STRAD MAGAZINE



ELMIRA DARVAROVA, former Concertmaster of the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra (the first woman-concertmaster in the MET’s history), started playing the violin at the age of 3, gave her first recital at 4, and made her debut as a soloist with an orchestra when she was 8 years old. She was a prizewinner of several international competitions (including the Tchaikovsky Competition in Moscow), and studied at some of the best music schools in Europe and America, with the legendary violinists Henryk Szeryng and Josef Gingold. Elmira Darvarova was privileged to be chosen by the great conductor Herbert von Karajan to perform the Brahms Violin Concerto for one of his film projects. She has led, as concertmaster, major American orchestras, such as the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, the Rochester Philharmonic, the Columbus Symphony, and the Grant Park Symphony in Chicago. She caused a sensation, becoming the first ever woman-concertmaster in the history of the Metropolitan Opera in New York. With the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra she has toured Europe, Japan and the United States, and was heard on the MET's live weekly international radio broadcasts, television broadcasts, CDs and laser discs on the Sony, Deutsche Grammophon and EMI labels. She has also performed with the acclaimed MET Chamber Ensemble in Carnegie Hall.

Elmira Darvarova has appeared in recitals, and as soloist, on 4 continents, and has been concerto soloist with the Moscow State Symphony Orchestra and with numerous other orchestras in the United States and abroad. She has given concerts and master classes at many festivals in Europe and America, and has performed chamber music with legendary musicians, such as James Levine, Janos Starker and Gary Karr. She has premiered and/or recorded music by Franco Alfano, Joseph Marx, Erich Korngold, Vernon Duke, Phillip Ramey, David Baker, Pierre de Bréville, René de Castera, Emile Goué and Paul Chihara, among many others. She has recorded live for Radio Innsbruck (Austria), and Radio Suisse Romande (Switzerland). Her recital at Bela Bartok’s Memorial House in Budapest (Hungary) was broadcast live throughout Europe. A documentary film about her life and career was shown on European TV. She has recorded for Sony, Deutsche Grammophon, Naxos, Melodiya, Delphinium, Azur Classical and Urlicht AudioVisual. Two recent CDs, with world premiere recordings of music by Franco Alfano, were released to great critical acclaim on the Naxos label. Several CDs will be released in 2012, by Azur Classical and by Urlicht AudioVisual.

Elmira Darvarova is the founder and leader of the New York Piano Quartet and the Delphinium Trio. She is Jury President of the Salieri-Zinetti International Chamber Music Competition in Verona, Italy. She is also President and Artistic Director of the New York Chamber Music Festival. More information at www.elmiradarvarova.com