‘There is no such thing as something unrelated to music. Every single thing we experience is connected, it affects us as humans and will therefore eventually manifest itself in our music-making.’
With the main focus on conducting, Rodrigo Sámano continues to value his experiences as a cellist from that perspective. What he brings to the orchestra relates directly to his reflections about chamber music; taking time to listen and to observe, and setting the conditions for the music to happen.
Sámano was born in Mexico City in 1994 into a family of opera singers. He started studying music after his father played him a recording of Mahler’s Eighth Symphony. He was 15 years old. Nine years later, Sámano made his conducting debut in the Musikverein in Vienna, having just started his studies at the city’s University of Music and Performing Arts. He received the Appreciation Award after concluding his studies with the highest honours.
Sámano continues to work with renowned orchestras all over Europe, among them the Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra, the Orchestra of the 18th Century and Klangforum Wien as part of being a Designated Winner in the International Conducting Competition Rotterdam. Please refer to the CV below for a selection.
From the belief that ‘There is no such thing as something unrelated to music’, Sámano pursues his deep interest in photography and nature as roots for creativity.
CV Highlights
Conductor
London Philharmonic Orchestra, Mozarteumorchester Salzburg, Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra, oesterreichisches ensemble fuer neue musik (oenm), ORF Vienna Radio Symphony Orchestra, Orchestra of the 18th Century, Klangforum Wien, Sofia Philharmonic Orchestra, Bodensee Philharmonie Konstanz, Sinfonia Rotterdam, Orchestra Senzaspine, among others.
Assistant Conductor
Wiener Symphoniker, Staatskapelle Berlin, Camerata Salzburg, Tonkünstler Orchester, Podlaska Opera and Philharmonia, Opera at the Castle Szczecin.
Competitions, Awards and Masterclasses
2025 Semifinalist Herbert von Karajan Young Conductors Award organised by the Salzburg Festival 2025 Active participant at the Critical Orchestra (Forum Dirigieren) 2024–2025 Designated Winner at the International Conducting Competition Rotterdam (ICCR) 2023 Active participant at the Accademia Chigiana 2023 Appreciation Award granted by the University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna after finishing orchestral conducting studies with the highest honours
Masterclasses with Daniele Gatti, Marin Alsop, Sian Edwards, Johannes Schlaefli, Patrick Russill, among others.
Studies
2018–2024 Orchestral and choir conducting studies at the University of Music and Performing Arts, Vienna with Prof. Mark Stringer and Prof. Alois Glaßner 2013–2017 Cello studies at the Higher School of Music of the Basque Country with Prof. Asier Polo
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