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Sergiu Comissiona

Sergiu Comissiona was a Romanian-born Israeli and American conductor and violinist who led orchestras in Israel, Europe and North America.

1928 to 2005Conducting the Baltimore Symphony OrchestraFounding the Ramat Gan Chamber OrchestraPremieres of Allan Pettersson's symphonies

Born: 16 June 1928, Bucharest
Died: 5 March 2005, Oklahoma City
Occupation: conductor, violinist, musician
Education: New England Conservatory

Sergiu Comissiona was born in 1928 in Bucharest

Comissiona was born in 1928 in Bucharest to a Jewish family. His father was an industrialist and his mother was a trained singer. He began studying violin at the age of 5.

He first conducted in public in 1945. From 1948 to 1951 he studied at the Bucharest Academy of Music. He worked as a violinist and then conductor of a trade union ensemble, and later became principal conductor of the Romanian National Opera.

In 1959 he left Romania and moved to Israel with his wife, the dancer Robinne Florin. He directed the Haifa Symphony Orchestra from 1959 to 1966. In 1960 he founded the Ramat Gan Chamber Orchestra and led it until 1967.

He moved to the United States in 1968. Starting in 1969 he spent 15 years with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra and led its first international tour and first recordings. He also led orchestras in Gothenburg, Hilversum, Houston, Vancouver and Madrid, and the New York City Opera.

From 1997 he conducted the symphony of the USC Thornton School of Music. He died of a heart attack in Oklahoma City in 2005, hours before a concert.