"The conductor Pablo Urbina fully convinced (...) a version full of life and energy, taking care at all times of the orchestra's phrasing". Xabier Armendáriz, Diario de Navarra
“The natural construction of the work and its sometimes complicated formal puzzles were masterfully presented by Urbina, which unleashed a fervent response from the musicians (The Hallé).” Fiona Maddocks, The Guardian
"He showed, once again, his sapience and good work, leading the orchestra with confidence and elegance in each one of his works, bringing out the best in each instrumental family" María Pilar Arlanzón, Diario de Burgos
The Basque-Navarrese conductor Pablo Urbina (1988) is, since 2019, the Principal Conductor of the Orchestra Vitae in London. Nominated for the Nestlé & Salzburg Prize for young conductors in 2018 and semi-finalist of the International Maestro Solti Competition in 2017, in August 2021 he finished his time as assistant conductor of the Orquesta Sinfónica de las Islas Baleares, where he continues to work regularly as guest conductor. Urbina has conducted other orchestras including the Orquesta de Radio Televisión Española, Orquesta Sinfónica de Castilla y León, Hong Kong Chamber Orchestra, Orquesta Sinfónica de Navarra, Orquesta Clásica de Madeira (Portugal), Filarmónica de Málaga, Sinfónica Provincial de Málaga, National Orchestra of Tunisia and Portuguese National Youth Orchestra, and has assisted maestros such as Leonard Slatkin, Bernard Haitink, Lionel Bringuier, Christian Zacharias, Joshua Weilerstein, Lucas Macías, Jonathan Cohen, John Wilson, Oliver Díaz, Pablo Mielgo and Gianluca Marcianò. He currently maintains a close relationship with the Associate Conductor of the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, Michael Seal, whom he regularly assists. Urbina recently recorded the new soundtrack for the Casa Batlló in Barcelona, with musicians from the Berlin Philharmonic and Radio Berlin.
Also with a great passion for the operatic repertoire, he has worked as Assistant Musical Director with the Tenerife Opera in the productions of Rusalka, Un ballo in maschera, Florencia en el Amazonas and Tannhäuser and next season he returns to Tenerife to direct El retablo by Master Pedro. In 2016 he was the musical director for the Navarra Chamber Opera in the Spanish premiere of the opera Eloise by Karl Jenkins. Likewise, he has worked as assistant musical director for the Baluarte Foundation (Don Giovanni), and has directed several lyrical galas. Also as an assistant director, he has worked on galas with singers including Leo Nucci, Juan Diego Flórez, Fatma Said, Xabier Anduaga, Nadine Sierra and Pretty Yende. In August 2021 he finished his time as assistant conductor of the Balearic Islands Symphony Orchestra, where he continues to work regularly as a guest conductor. From 2017 to 2019 he was associate director of the Lerici Music Festival, Italy; in 2019 he was associate director of the Al Bustan Music Festival in Lebanon, and from 2013 to 2020 he was the Musical Director of the London City Orchestra.
With a great passion for making classical music a social and educational vehicle, he is an Ambassador for The Amber Trust UK to help young people with visual impairments, and has collaborated with many other charities such as Great Ormond Street Hospital and UK Parkinson's Trust. In the educational field, he has worked with organizations including the Royal Opera House Covent Garden, Wigmore Hall and the BBC Proms.
Maestro Urbina was born in Vitoria-Gasteiz and grew up in Pamplona, where he began his musical studies at the age of eight at the Pablo Sarasate Conservatory with his mentors Julián Cano and Koldo Pastor. Granted a scholarship in 2005 to pursue higher education at the Thornton School of Music in the USA, with Kristy Morrell, in 2014 he completed his postgraduate studies at the Royal Conservatory of London, also awarded a scholarship, and under the tutelage of Peter Stark. He currently maintains a close relationship with the Associate Conductor of the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, Michael Seal.
www.pablourbina.com
Date last modified: June 2024 This document shall not be altered without authorization
2021-2022 Performances
BROADWAY GALA WITH THE ORQUESTRA SIMFÒNICA ILLES BALEARS 17 September 2021 20:00 Trui Teatre, Palma
CONCERT WITH THE ORQUESTA VITAE 01 October 2021 19:00 St John's Smith Square, London
CHRISTMAS CONCERT WITH THE ORQUESTA SINFÓNICA ISLAS BALEARES 22 December 20:00
CONCERT WITH THE ORQUESTA SINFÓNICA DE CASTILLA Y LEÓN 7 January 2022 Auditorio y Palacio de Congresos de Burgos
CONCERT WITH THE BANDA MUNICIPAL DE VITORIA-GASTEIZ 26 January 2022 20:00
CONCERT WITH THE ORQUESTA SINFÓNICA ISLAS BALEARES 5 March 2022 Auditori Alcudia