Rastislav Stur, current Chief Conductor (1998 - 2012 and from 2016) of the Slovak National Theatre Bratislava, Permanent Guest Conductor of Slovak Philharmonic Orchestra and Teacher of Orchestral conducting (Janacek Academy of Music, Brno), was born on November 26, 1969 in Bratislava, Czechoslovakia. He has studied at Janacek Academy of Music, Brno (graduated 1995). In 1996 he became conductor of Slovak National Theatre.
He gave his debut in the opera Mepfistopfeles (Boito) when he stepped in to replace a sick colleague - since that day he has received a number of opportunities. He performed the following operas at the Slovak National Theatre Opera: The Barber of Seville (Rossini, 1996 & 2013), The Magic Flute (Mozart), Cosi fan tutte (Mozart), The Bartered Bride (Smetana), Nabucco (Verdi), The Maid of Orleans (Tchaikovsky), Andrea Chenier (Giordano), Falstaff (Verdi), Tosca (Puccini), La fille de regiment (Donizetti, 2004), Un ballo in maschera (Verdi, 2004), Faust (Gounod, 2010), Manon Lescaut (Puccini, 2012), Pique Dame (Tchaikovsky, 2014) and the ballets Andersen (Nedbal), Spartakus (Kchachaturjan), Sylphide (Lovenskjold) and Romeo and Juliet (Prokofiev 2013).
In 1997, the SME Magazine wrote: "A conductor Rastislav Stur's name is a new phenomenon in a group of the professionals. He had to face not only a difficult task to win recognition in the Slovak National Theatre but also to try to continue recent Mozartovian success achieved by Kosler in the early 1970's. The talented artist succeeded in this to a great extends. He managed to find appropriate and contrasting tempo, worked honestly with the orchestra, which resulted in plastic and dynamic sound and coordination. It was almost possible to hear typical Mozartovian optimism.”
Stur conducted Dvorak’s Rusalka in NCPY Opera Beijing, the first czech opera in China in the history and the first opera production with 3D technology (2016).
He conducted concert with Simon Keenlyside and Stefan Kocan (Prague Philharmonie, Smetana Hall, Prague 2015).
He conducted 2 concerts with Joseph Calleja (Prostejov 2014 & Opening Concert of Moscow Philharmonic Society, Tchaikovsky Concert Hall, Moscow 2014).
He also conducted concert with Moscow Philharmonic Orchestra in Moscow 2004.
Stur conducted 12 performances of La Traviata with Slovak National Theatre Opera on Japan Tour 2004 (with Peter Dvorsky, Maria Guleghina…).
His Brno experience has been decribed the best in Mlada Fronta Dnes - the largest and most prestigeous Czech newspaper: " Several faces of ballet . The performance of the choir was really praiseworthy, mainly the one of the orchestra from Janacek's opera, which played surprisingly courageously with unprecedented energy, very familiar with the difficult passages of Ravels music (Daphnis et Chloe). The young conductor Rastilslav Stur is one of the best conductors acting in Brno ."
In December 1999 he joined the Orchestra Philharmonique de Strasbourg in a performance of The Bartered Bride (Smetana) at the National du Rhin Opera House, together with soloists from all over the world (Barbara Haveman, Walter Fink…).
Just to mention a few of his most recent highlights: he conducted Peter Dvorsky´s concerts with Montserrat Caballe in Bratislava (2000) - PRAVDA, 4.12.2000 "In love with Stur".. " I am satisfied with the orchestra and I fell in love with the conductor Rastislav Stur. Apparently, this young man lives fully from music ", said Montserrat Caballe, with Gabriela Benackova in Prague (Prague Symphony Orchestra 2000), with Eva Urbanová and Jelena Obraztsova (Prague Symphony Orchestra 2002), with Ilona Tokody (Prague Symphony Orchestra 2003), with Anatoly Kotcherga (Czech National Symphony Orchestra 2006), with Ute Lemper (Prague PROMS 2007), with Paata Burchuladze (2009), Lawrence Brownlee and Mojca Erdmann (2012).
Stur conducted Spectre´s Bride (Dvorak) with Sao Paolo Symphony Orchestra in Sao Paolo, Brasil 2005 (Urbanova, Ludha, Mikulas).
He also conducted in the opera houses of Graz - The Elixir of Love (Donizetti), Giessen - The Barber of Seville (Rossini), Essen - Cosi fan tutte (Mozart), concert with Die Sudwestdeutsche Philharmonie and Heinrich Schiff in Konstanz 2004, he was also the main propagonist in a Gala concert with Cairo Symphony Orchestra (Egypt)...
Stur has been working regulary with Peter Dvorsky since 1999, either for important performances at the Slovak National Opera or concerts. He recorded CD "Vivere" with Peter Dvorsky and The Prague Philharmonia (2001).
He conducted concerts tours with Czech virtuosi (2000) and Ostrava Philharmonic Orchestra (2002/03) in Spain.
Stur is permanent guest conductor of Slovak Philharmonic Orchestra (Tonhalle Zurich 2012 with Edita Gruberova, P.Brslik and J.Benci, Ingolstadt 2010 with Mischa Maisky, Spain Tour 2010, Interlaken 2005 with Sergei Nakariakov, concerts in Kölner Philharmonie 2003 and 2006, CD with Jolana Fogasova 2000, concerts in Bratislava…)
He conducted many concerts with Prague Symphony Orchestra (in Prague , Nürnberg 2003, Wroclaw 2004, 26 concerts on USA Tour 2005, Merseburg 2005, 2 concerts in Shanghai - China 2013…).