Toufic Maatouk - Lebanese Composer and Chief Choir Conductor
Toufic Maatouk, O.A.M. is a Lebanese composer and choir conductor who is currently working as a guest conductor for the Lebanese Philharmonic Orchestra. His music has gone far beyond the boundaries of Lebanon. He is also active in France, Romania, Italy, Bahrain and the United States of America. He is the artistic director of the Chamber Music Season, Beirut Chants International Festival and Antonine University Choir.
Toufic Maatouk also works as a lecturer and the secretary in the Beirut's Antonine University. He is the head of the vocal division in the Lebanese National Higher Conservatory. His creative sound works, versatility and innovative musical styles have complemented all the compositions he has created so far. He completed his PhD in Musicology from the Pontificio Istituto di Musica Sacra (PIMS) in Rome, and conducted different studies on the Syro-Maronite chants, for which he has a publication. In addition, he also studied the best practice of opera conducting and orchestra conducting with Donato Renzetti and Ennio Nicotra even though he has never solely restricted himself to the academic section. He has also created some remarkable signature pieces for Romanian Radio (Bucharest).
Toufic Maatouk has also served the position of chief conductor in the Antonine University Choir for more than 14 years. He has collaborated with Baalbeck International Festival, Académie du Ferstival d’Aix en Provence (France), Byblos International Festival, Bahrain International Music Festival, Festival d'ile de France, Al Bustan International Festival, and Al-Ain International music festival. In addition to that, he has also worked in collaboration with Teatro dell'Opera di Roma (Roma), Académie de l'Opéra de Paris (France), Teatro di San Carlo (Napoli). Toufic Maatouk has also performed his magical composition in Carnegie Hall in New York.
The Founder of the Antonine University
While pursuing his studies, Toufic Maatouk worked as a vocal coach: his training philosophy was focussed on two primary principles - preparing singers for the stage and encouraging them to appear as versatile musicians and confident performers. During his time at the National Conservatory of Beirut, he was an assistant choir conductor at Teatro di San Carlo in Napoli. Meanwhile then, he also worked for several production houses. He is the founder of Antonine University and the Lebanese National Conservatory. Being the founder of opera studio, he conducted different productions such as Rossini's Barbiere di Siviglia, Donizetti's Elisir d'amore and Mozart's Cosi fan Tutte.
Collaborated with World-Famous Artists and Orchestra Groups
In the horizon of his career, he collaborated with world-famous orchestra groups, such as Orchestra Giovanile Mediterranea in Palermo, Lebanese Philharmonic Orchestra in Lebanon, New England Symphonic Ensemble in New York, Saint Petersburg Symphony Orchestra in Russia, Orchestra Roma Sinfonietta in Rome, Romanian Radio Chamber Orchestra in Bucharest, Kiev Symphony Orchestra in Ukraine, Orchestra di San Carlo in Napoli and Orchestra Los Angeles Sinfonietta in Los Angeles, to name some.
Toufic Maatouk worked with some of the renowned artists like Modigliani Quartet, S.J. Cho, C. Malinverno, C. Di Tonno, L.Cortellazzi, E. Le Sage, G. Ferro, F. Dego, D.Masleev, P. Fanale, D. Barcellona, R. Bove, M. G Schiavo, Kodaly Quartet, B. Andrianov, L. Giordano, F. Karaoui, M. Palazzi, J. El Khoury, A. Ghindin, K. Baczyk, C. Giannatasio, X. De Maistres and other world-famous artists.
Book Publication and CD Release
Toufic Maatouk recently published a book on the Syro-Maronite tradition with Geuthner's edition. His articles got published on the international journal of musicology. He released 13 CDs with the Antonine University Chorus on the Maronite tradition. This year he has already engaged in several international concerts: in March 2019 he performed with the Lebanese Philharmonic Orchestra, in April 2019 he performed in Romanian Radio Chamber Orchestra, in June 2019 he played in Siena-Italy and in July 2019 he performed in Baalbeck International Festival.
As a chief conductor, he has worked for several opera studios. His restless innovation has not just repositioned the opera music but also made him the legendary musician of the 21st century. His PhD in musicology doesn't tell everything about his artistry; it's his creative orchestrating techniques and innovations that make him a world-famous opera conductor and music composer. His mind-blowing compositions have encouraged music enthusiasts across the globe to listen to and cherish opera music. He is not just a fabulous performer, but being a vocal coach, he has brought the best from several young and amateur singers.
Toufic Maatouk is a true virtuoso, a master of his art who is effortlessly interweaving the contrasting styles to compose some of the most sublime melodies of our time.