Andrew Altenbach

Andrew Altenbach joined the Conservatory in 2011 and is an associate professor of opera.

Altenbach brings dynamic passion to his symphonic and operatic conducting that continues to garner him national attention. Praised especially for his interpretations of Mozart, Puccini, Brahms, and Debussy, Altenbach has conducted for such companies as Minnesota Opera, Central City Opera, Opera Birmingham, Opera Africa, Milwaukee Opera Theater, Opera on the James, and MetroWest Opera. Recent engagements include debuts with the Peninsula Music Festival, Tri Cities Opera, and Miami Music Festival.

Altenbach leads the musical direction for opera productions at Boston Conservatory and has also conducted for Indiana University Opera Theatre and Temple University. Altenbach recently served as Artistic Director of the Boston Opera Collaborative, leading the company in several new productions, which received rave reviews. Altenbach has held coaching and conducting staff positions with several prestigious American opera companies, including the Santa Fe Opera, Music Academy of the West, Cincinnati Opera, and the San Francisco Opera Merola Program.

Altenbach music directs the Brookline Symphony Orchestra, conducting masterworks by composers such as Mahler, Brahms, and Tchaikovsky while also exploring works by diverse and underrepresented composers such as Anna Clyne, Julia Adolphe, Missy Mazzoli, Grace Williams, and Florence Price. In addition to concerts and outreach performances, Altenbach performs as a pianist with members of the Brookline Symphony, giving concerts around the greater Boston area.

Altenbach recently served as artistic director and conductor of the Minnesota Bach Ensemble, a professional chamber orchestra in the Twin Cities. Recent symphonic conducting credits include engagements with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, the Memphis Symphony Orchestra, and the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra. Altenbach maintained great success as music director of the St. Cloud Symphony Orchestra and has also conducted the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra, Minneapolis Musical Offering Series, and Brevard Music Center Orchestra.

Altenbach served as associate conductor for the world renowned Grand Teton Music Festival under Donald Runnicles and previously held posts as music director for the North Shore Chamber Orchestra, principal guest conductor of the Bloomington Symphony Orchestra, assistant conductor to the Evanston Symphony, and conducting fellow for the prestigious Chautauqua Institution. A native of Atlanta, Georgia, Altenbach received degrees from Northwestern University and Indiana University.

Notable Recent Engagements

• Indiana University Orchestra—Guest conductor
• Lakes Area Music Festival—Guest conductor
• Minnesota Bach Ensemble—Music director
• Opera in the Ozarks—Guest conductor