Miami Music Festival
About Steven Aguiló-Arbues
Argentinean-American Steven Aguiló-Arbues enjoys his various roles as a conductor, vocal coach, chorus master, répétiteur, recitalist and producer. He has performed as a solo and collaborative pianist throughout Spain, Italy, Peru and the United States, and has worked on over sixty opera productions.
Mr. Aguiló-Arbues is currently the conductor/music director for the Boulder Opera Company, engaged to conduct Ravel's L'enfant et les sortilèges this 2021 season. He recently served as the Program and Music Director of Studio Artists at Sarasota Opera for the past three seasons as well as a cover/assistant conductor, pianist and coach. He has also served as Conductor for Denver’s Inside the Orchestra, a professional orchestra that introduces orchestra, ballet, and opera music to children and their families through a fast-paced interactive scripted concert for the past nine years.
He also performs regularly as a Central City Opera Touring Artist and maintains a busy coaching and recital schedule when in Colorado. He is also highly involved with Art Song Colorado as a conductor, collaborative pianist, vocal coach and recording producer. Mr. Aguiló-Arbues has served on the faculties of the Manhattan School of Music, Centro Studi Lirica in Italy, University of Colorado Boulder, Metropolitan State University of Denver, and Colorado State University in Fort Collins.
His love for opera has led him to work with Opera Colorado, The Atlanta Opera, San Diego Opera, Central City Opera, Sarasota Opera, Boulder Opera Company, Colorado Light Opera, the Crested Butte Music Festival, Festival Amadeus, and the Miami Music Festival. Mr. Aguiló-Arbues earned his Professional Studies Certificate and Master of Music degree from the Manhattan School of Music in New York City. He resides in Colorado with his wife Emily Murdock and their daughter Sofia.
At Boulder Opera’s 10th Anniversary Gala
Interview with Steven Aguiló-Arbues
Boulder Opera Company: Can you tell me more about your career in the performing arts and why you decided to get involved with Boulder Opera Company?
Steven Aguiló-Arbues: I started off my career mainly as an opera pianist and vocal coach, learning how to play and read the orchestral scores and collaborating with singers. Throughout the years, I had the privilege of working with some renowned operatic conductors, imaginative stage directors, and inspirational singers who helped me find my own voice as an opera conductor. The first time I worked with Boulder Opera Company was in 2015, conducting Rossini’s The Barber of Seville. After witnessing the wonderful impact that it had on our audiences (especially younger children), I knew there was something special happening at Boulder Opera.
BOC: In your opinion, what about The Child and the Spells makes it a great show for children & families?
Steven: L’enfant et les sortilèges is full of enchantment. The story is filled with fun and mystical characters and the music further evolves the story into a true musical fantasy. No matter how old you are, this opera makes you feel like a kid again. Plus, the fact that it’s about 45 minutes long makes it the ideal length for young ones.
BOC: What are you most excited for in directing the music for this opera?
Steven: This opera is a rollercoaster of musical colors and homages to different musical styles! Every personified object or animal has a unique mood and musical soundscape to them. As music director for this opera, it’s exciting to be flexible and switch from one whimsical scene to the next, sometimes with very little transition time.
BOC: What do you hope to communicate to the audience through your musical direction?
Steven: As an opera conductor, one of my jobs is to help the singers and orchestra perform and communicate at their best. Another job I have is to bring full attention to the stage and to weave all of the musical components together while not drawing attention to myself. Composer Maurice Ravel and librettist Colette did such a fine job of creating this magical experience, we have to let this masterpiece really speak for itself.
Read more about Steven Aguiló-Arbues on his website.
Get your tickets to see The Child and The Spells with musical direction by Steven Aguiló-Arbues!
