Parisotto will become the first Canadian conductor to serve as a permanent chief guest conductor in a leading Chinese orchestra.

The Shanghai Symphony Orchestra gave him the honor because of his success in the last 10 years.

Born in Montreal in 1963, Parisotto, who is of Italian descent, studied conducting at the Conservatory of Quebec in Montreal.

Early on in his career, he became assistant conductor of the Royal Conservatory Orchestra of Toronto and was then the permanent conductor of the Youth Orchestra in Quebec.

His most recent victory was at the 1997 Besancon 45th International Competition for Conductors in France, where he was awarded the "Grand Prize" as well as the Public Prize. He was also a top prize winner at the 1997 Tokyo International Competition in Japan.

So far Parisotto has worked with several world-famous orchestras such as the National Orchestra of France, the Montreal Symphony Orchestra and the Tokyo Symphony Orchestra.

Parisotto impressed the Shanghai Symphony Orchestra when he first conducted them in 1999.

"He is hard-working and responsible and also has great artistic talent," said Chen Xieyang, music director of the orchestra and the artistic director of the Beijing-based National Opera Theatre. "Above all, he got along well with orchestra members."

He said Parisotto is the one most suitable for the position. "Although Shanghai Symphony Orchestra has a long history and performs extremely well, it needs something new."

Parisotto also holds a high opinion of the orchestra and he almost immediately accepted Chen Xieyang's offer.

"Shanghai has become an international city and the orchestra should also be international, a symbol of artistic excellence and international brotherhood," said Parisotto confidently.

He added that in the coming year the orchestra will practise more classical works such as pieces by Mozart and Beethoven.

In addition to acting as permanent guest conductor and conducting 12 concerts at the Shanghai Grand Theatre this year, Parisotto will also work for other orchestras abroad.

Weeks before each concert in Shanghai, he will fly in for rehearsals.

According to Chen Xieyang, having a foreign conductor is only the initial step to improve the orchestra.

"Over the next few years, musicians from around the world will be able to apply to be in the orchestra," said Chen.

In the last few days Parisotto has been busy rehearsing in Shanghai for Saturday’s concert at the Shanghai Grand Theatre.

The works include Berlioz's "Marseilles," Verdi's "National Anthems of Three Countries" and Mahler's "No 1 Symphony in D Major."

Parisotto's second concert with the Shanghai Symphony Orchestra will be on February 23, and will be performance of works by Brahms.

(China Daily 02/09/2001)