Spano was born in Conneaut, Ohio, and grew up in a musical family in Elkhart, Indiana.[9] His father, Tony Spano, was a flute-builder and instrument-repairman as well as a clarinetist. Spano began making music early, studying piano, flute and violin. By the age of 14, he conducted a composition of his own with the local orchestra.[6][10]
After graduating from Elkhart Central High School, he studied at the Oberlin Conservatory, where he earned a degree in piano performance, while also pursuing the violin and composition and studying conducting with Robert Baustian.[11][12] After Oberlin, he studied at the Curtis Institute of MusicinPhiladelphia, where his mentors included Max Rudolf.
In 1985, Spano left Curtis to take his first professional position, director of orchestral activities at Bowling Green State University.[6][12] In 1989, he returned to Oberlin, now as a faculty member, leading the Opera Theater program.[11] He has maintained at least an official affiliation with Oberlin ever since.[12]
In 1990, Spano was named as an assistant conductor with the Boston Symphony Orchestra.[10][13] After leaving this post in 1993, he has been a regular guest conductor with the Boston Symphony and a teacher at the Tanglewood Music Center in the summertime. At Tanglewood, he headed the conductor training program from 1998 to 2002, and directed the Festival of Contemporary Music in 2003 and 2004.[13] He has made appearances on the Late Show with David Letterman.[9]
In 1995, Spano's first music directorship was announced, with the Brooklyn Philharmonic.[5][10] He began his tenure in the fall of 1996.[5] Over the next few years, despite multiple financial crises,[3][14][15] Spano, the orchestra, and executive director Joseph Horowitz developed programs organized around intellectual, dramatic, or historical themes, with occasional incorporation of visual elements.[1][2] In 2002, Spano announced his intention to step down from the Brooklyn post at the end of the 2003–2004 season, remaining as an advisor, and then principal guest conductor, until 2007.[14]
In February 2000, the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra announced the appointment of Spano as its next music director, effective in 2001.[2][9][16][17] The ASO has reported increased ticket sales and donations during Spano's tenure.[18][19] Spano concluded his ASO music directorship at the close of the 2020–2021 season,[20] and now has the title of music director laureate of the ASO.
Alongside conducting, Spano remains active as a pianist, performing frequently as a chamber musician. He also continues to compose his own music, though only in his time off from his performing career.[22]
Spano's work in opera has included conducting Seattle in cycles of Wagner's Der Ring des Nibelungen, in 2005 and in 2009.[22] He made his guest-conducting debut with the Metropolitan Opera in New York on 19 October 2018, with the United States premiere of Nico Muhly's opera Marnie.[23] including the final performance on 10 November 2018, which was part of the Metropolitan Opera Live in HD series.
In March 2019, the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra (FWSO) announced the appointment of Spano as its new principal guest conductor, with immediate effect, with a contract through the 2022–2023 season, simultaneously with his debut as a guest conductor with the orchestra.[24] In February 2021, the FWSO announced the appointment of Spano as its next music director, effective with the 2022–2023 season, with an initial contract of three years. His title changed from principal guest conductor to music director-designate of the FWSO on 1 April 2021.[7]
Spano first guest-conducted the Rhode Island Philharmonic Orchestra (RI Philharmonic) in September 2023. In January 2024, the RI Philharmonic announced the appointment of Spano as its principal conductor, with immediate effect.[25]
Spano first guest-conducted at Washington National Opera in 2021. In February 2024, Washington National Opera announced the appointment of Spano as its next music director, effective with the 2025-2026 season, with an initial contract of three seasons.[26]
All recordings feature Spano conducting the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and its Chorus led by Norman Mackenzie (as appropriate). Additional featured soloists are noted.
Rimsky-Korsakov: Scheherazade, Op. 35; Russian Easter Overture Telarc CD #80568 (2001). Cecylia Arzewski, solo violin.
Christopher Theofanidis: Symphony No. 1; Peter Lieberson: 'Neruda Songs; Atlanta Symphony Orchestra; Kelley O’Connor, mezzo-soprano; ASO Media (2011) CD 1002
^ abDavidson, Justin. "CLASSICAL MUSIC: Looking for Magic: Mixing visuals and language into a performance is just part of conductor Robert Spano's pursuit of orchestral risk" (Fanfare); Newsday (Long Island, NY) – 7 October 2001, p. D21. ProQuest83361614. Retrieved 23 March 2007
^ abcTommasini, Anthony. "Critic's Notebook: A Winning Formula for Players and Listeners"; The New York Times – 9 February 2000, p. E5. ProQuest49310007. Retrieved 23 March 2007
^ abDyer, Richard. "Spano Tries to Hang Out at Tanglewood" (Feature); Boston Globe – 22 July 2001, p. L4. ProQuest76111773. Retrieved 23 March 2007
^Ruhe, Pierre. "CRITIC'S NOTEBOOK: Spano Storms New York – and that's fine"; The Atlanta Journal-Constitution – 22 May 2003, p. D1. ProQuest339183721. Retrieved 23 March 2007
^ abcTommasini, Anthony. "Classical Music: Can Brooklyn Keep Its Maestro While He's Hot?"; The New York Times – 26 October 1997, p. 2–33. ProQuest20219402. Retrieved 23 March 2007
^ abcBrock, Wendell. "Live from Brooklyn, it's Robert Spano" (Feature Profile); The Atlanta Journal-Constitution – 30 April 2000, p. L1. Via ProQuest53196617. Retrieved 23 March 2007
^ abcdBrock, Wendell. "New era for the ASO: Appointment of magnetic, media savvy conductor Robert Spano as director praised; Donald Runnicles to share podium"; The Atlanta Journal-Constitution – 9 February 2000, p. B1. ProQuest49308409. Retrieved 23 March 2007
^ abcWard, Charles. "Busy Spano here to direct and perform" (Concert preview/Profile); The Houston Chronicle – 30 January 1998. Via Thomson Gale: Document no.=CJ64294186. Retrieved 23 March 2007
^ abcSlonimsky, Nicolas, rev. Laura Kuhn. (2001): Baker’s Biographical Dictionary of Musicians – Centennial Edition, Vol. 5, p. 3415. New York: G. Schirmer. ISBN0-02-865525-7
^ abOestreich, James R. "Shopping With: Robert Spano: Facing the Philharmonic, Armed With New CD's"; (Feature); The New York Times – 18 May 2003, p. 2–27. ProQuest337831501. Retrieved 23 March 2007
^ abBlumenthal, Ralph. "Spano Reduces His Role With Brooklyn Philharmonic"; The New York Times – 27 November 2002, p. E16. ProQuest246400901. Retrieved 23 March 2007
^Kozinn, Allan. "High Notes and Red Ink"; The New York Times – 6 December 1998, p. 14-1. ProQuest36529269. Retrieved 27 March 2007
^Brock, Wendell. "Spano's selection wins press nationwide"; The Atlanta Journal-Constitution – 10 February 2000, p. F12. ProQuest49343506. Retrieved 23 March 2007
^Ruhe, Pierre. "CRITIC'S NOTEBOOK: Spano's first season gives ASO a boost"; The Atlanta Journal-Constitution – 9 June 2002, p. L5. ProQuest123902471. Retrieved 23 March 2007
^Elliott, Susan. "The Atlanta Symphony Gets a Jolt of Energy"; The New York Times – 16 December 2001, p. 2-1. Via ProQuest95407128. Retrieved 27 March 2007
^Ruhe, Pierre. "Ever-better ASO set to conquer New York" (Concert review); The Atlanta Journal-Constitution – 23 April 2004, p. C12. Via ProQuest622783431. Retrieved 23 March 2007
Davidson, Justin. "MEASURE FOR MEASURE: Exploring the mysteries of conducting". The New Yorker – 21 August 2006, pp. 60–69. (Conversations with Spano frame an essay on the nature of conducting.)
2005 Print Interview with Pierre Ruhe of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Spano discusses conducting Wagner's Ring Cycle. (also cited above) Accessed 24 March 2007
