PATRICK BATON

Patrick Baton studied both music and philosophy at the University of Liège, and Italian language and literature at the University of Siena. At the Royal Music Conservatoire of Liège he was awarded various diplomas, including for choral and orchestral conducting, and at Toulon Conservatoire he won the Gold Medal for opera conducting.

He is principal conductor of the Choeur Philharmonique de Liège, and has conducted on tour the World Chamber Choir, the Nord-Pas de Calais Chorus, the Choeur de Chambre de Rouen and the Tel Aviv Symphonic Chorus. As an orchestral conductor he studied with distinguished musicians, winning a number of international awards, and has given performances throughout Europe and in Israel, collaborating with major orchestras, as in Belgium. He is artistic director of the Spring Festival of Soumagne and the Transeuropean Festival of Rouen, and principal conductor of the Opéra Royal de Wallonie. In 2001 he joined the Philharmonic Orchestra of Monte Carlo, where he is associate guest conductor (seasons 2009–2010).

He has recorded for Philips, Forlane, Syrinx and Cyprès, and is permanent conductor of the Symphony Orchestra of the Royal Conservatoire of Music of Liège, where he serves also as professor of conducting.