Conductor
Aarón Zapico
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Aarón Zapico is one of the most prominent and respected figures in the Spanish musical scene. A conductor with a solid reputation, he has redefined the boundaries of the Baroque and Classical repertoire through bold, original, and contemporary approaches. For over twenty years, his work has been instrumental in the revival of Spain’s musical heritage and the revitalisation of the classical sector, thanks to projects that combine historical rigour with a deeply innovative vision.
He currently focuses on orchestral and operatic conducting, while also enthusiastically exploring contemporary creation and interdisciplinary projects that intertwine music with theatre, film, or literature. His programmes, always carefully curated, are known for their cohesion, freshness, and unmistakable artistic personality.
He has been invited to conduct most of Spain’s leading symphony orchestras — including Tenerife, Galicia, Real Filharmonía, Castilla y León, Granada, Córdoba, Málaga, Almería, Extremadura, Asturias, Oviedo Filarmonía, Bilbao, Euskadi, and RTVE — conducting repertoire ranging from Monteverdi to Mozart or Ramón Garay, and from Sánchez-Verdú to Fumio Yasuda. His natural affinity with vocal repertoire has led to regular collaborations with prominent singers such as Ruth Iniesta, Maite Beaumont, Vivica Genaux, Carlos Mena, Christopher Lowrey, Carolyn Sampson, and Hilary Summers.
Highlights of recent seasons include the opening of the Granada International Festival of Music and Dance in 2023 with an original Falla-Telemann-Boismortier triptych at the Palacio de Carlos V in the Alhambra; the musical direction of the first Spanish staging of La liberazione di Ruggiero dall’isola d’Alcina by Francesca Caccini, presented by the Teatro Real in 2024; the Spanish premiere of Sheba by José María Sánchez-Verdú with the Tenerife Symphony Orchestra in 2025; and the artistic direction of Cómicas at Teatro de la Zarzuela, a project that celebrates the role of women in 18th-century Spanish theatre. He is also a regular guest at international festivals such as the Bach Festival in Eisenach, the Handel Festival in Halle, the Rudolfinum in Prague, and the London Symphony Orchestra’s chamber series.
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His work as a guest conductor goes hand in hand with his artistic direction of Forma Antiqva, one of Spain’s most influential classical music ensembles. Founded in 1999 with his brothers Daniel and Pablo, the group has toured across Europe, Asia, and Latin America with programmes that break down barriers between performers and audiences, challenging the conventions of the traditional concert format.
Born in Langreo (Asturias), Aarón Zapico trained as a classical pianist before specialising in early music and harpsichord at the Royal Conservatoire in The Hague. He has taught at universities, conservatories, and specialised courses in Spain and in countries such as Australia, Mexico, Panama, Costa Rica, and Singapore.
Alongside his artistic work, he maintains a strong commitment to the development of the music sector. He promotes platforms advocating for musicians’ rights, social projects that use music as a tool for integration, and created the first early music competition in Spain. Aware of the challenges faced by young Spanish musicians entering the profession, he has launched a wide range of training initiatives — including orchestras and academies in cities such as Gijón, Granada, and Vélez Blanco — to support their transition into professional life.
Recognised by the press, festivals, foundations, city councils, and cultural associations, his career has earned numerous awards and nominations, including several nods from the International Classical Music Awards. His discography, as extensive as it is eclectic, reflects a career driven by passion, risk, and artistic curiosity.
In the coming months, his schedule includes the premiere of a Jommelli intermezzo in Madrid and Tenerife, the opening of the season at the Real Teatro de Retiro with De sópitu, the musical direction of Vivaldi’s Orlando furioso at the Ópera de Oviedo, and a return to lead the participatory Messiah performances for the “la Caixa” Foundation in Valencia and Granada.
Aarón Zapico is a member of the jury of the Princess of Asturias Awards for the Arts.
General Management: Tiben Artists
