RYAN MCADAMS
CONDUCTOR
Performances with Irish National Opera, I Pomeriggi Musicali, Orchestra Sinfonica Siciliana, Teatro di Verona, Istanbul State Symphony, National Symphony of Dublin, Festival Napa Valley, Crash Ensemble, and much more.
Upcoming Performances
March 28th and 29th - Teatro Filarmonico Verona
Donnacha Dennehy: Brink
Bartok: Suite from The Miraculous Mandarian
Rachmaninoff: Piano Concerto no. 3
April 3rd and 6th - Crash Ensemble
New Music Dublin Festival
Crashworks: "You Heard It Hear First"
Jonathan Nangle: "Blue Haze of Deep Time"
Recent News / Press
Rave Reviews for Berlioz's Béatrice et Bénédict with Irish National Opera and Fiona Shaw
Brilliant reviews for Irish National Opera's concert performance of Berlioz's Béatrice et Bénédict starring Fiona Shaw, Paula Murrihy, David Portillo, Anna Devin, John Molloy, and Niamh O'Sullivan.
"American Ryan McAdams, principal conductor of Ireland’s Crash Ensemble, was a revelation to me. From the parrying inflections and songful poetry of the Overture onwards, he was a live wire, responsive to all the singers’ needs, expert young chorus included...A sung and spoken triumph.” - The Arts Desk
“Berlioz’s lush score was played and interpreted by the full orchestra, under the energetic and sensitive direction of conductor Ryan McAdams. He was a tour de force throughout, full of physicality, gusto and empathy...The National Concert Hall’s rafters rang out the approval of the cheering audience” - No More Workhorse
"The conductor of this performance, Ryan McAdams, combines energetic precision and animation to draw lively, fresh playing from the INO Orchestra, whether on their own in the overture or entr’acte, or when accompanying voices...led here by the mezzo soprano Paula Murrihy as Béatrice, bringing her particular smooth and forward-placed clarity to another INO role. The soprano Anna Devin does sweetness so well as Héro, matched for warmth by the mezzo Niamh O’Sullivan as Ursule, her attendant, notably in their act-two duet 'Nuit paisible et sereine'. The tenor David Portillo sings Bénédict with youth and charm..." - Irish Times
Ryan McAdams' Debut in Germany at the Ludwigsburg Festival: "Captiving," "Electric," "Something Amazing."
Nearly 7,500 people attended the German debut of Ryan McAdams with the final concert of the
Ludwigsburg Festival on July 22nd, 2023. The press were unanimous in their praise:
"The excellent orchestra of the Ludwigsburg Castle Festival played under the electrifying direction of Ryan McAdams...the "Symphonic Dances" from Leonard Bernstein's "West Side Story" had dynamic fine-tuning and grandiose rhythmic precision. In individual movements such as "Somewhere", "Scherzo", "Mambo", "Cha-Cha", "Cool Fugue" or "Rumble" not only 'verismo' drama flashed out, but also sound registers of jazz, symphony and opera. However, Ryan McAdams in no way exaggerated the realistically hard design of the individual scenes, but rather heated up the emotional sound events more and more. "An American in Paris" by George Gershwin fascinated with overwhelming 'espressivo' and a lavish orchestral sound.
The four dances from "Estancia" op. 8 by the Argentinean composer Alberto Ginastera, played breathlessly with incredible speed and numerous staccato attacks, combined rhythmic and melodic fire with the magic of Argentinean folklore...sent the audience into a frenzy of enthusiasm. Big cheers." - Merker
"In just three days, [McAdams] has obviously achieved something amazing: the sound of the orchestra is self-confident, taut and finely balanced, at times edgy and percussive." - LKZ.de
"A made-to-measure debut in Germany for the American Ryan McAdams on the podium, who was completely at one with his orchestra, almost danced himself while conducting and made the music captivating and wonderfully listenable. Even the dynamic gradations he pulled out of the piñata are anything but a matter of course for an open air of this magnitude." - Stuttgarter Nachrichten
Just Announced:
Principal Conductor of Crash Ensemble
Crash Ensemble, Ireland's foremost contemporary music ensemble, has announced Ryan McAdams as their
new Principal Conductor
Read the press release and an interview with Ryan.
The Second Violinist Premieres at the Barbican, London
"From the exhilarating score, lyrical singing, and dazzlingly intricate design, this is a work that needs to be seen more than once in order to absorb the rich detail. Like its recurring filmed image of a murmuration of starlings, it soars." - The Guardian "
★★★★...An Extraordinary Modern Opera...as thrilling as Monaghan’s performance is... it’s as exciting to see the vigour of the orchestra pit. [They] play nimbly, frantically and, refreshingly, with visible pleasure." - The Irish Times
"American conductor Ryan McAdams directed his Crash Ensemble in a coruscating performance..." - Musical America
"Donnacha Dennehy’s extraordinary score contrasts an almost cinematic cohesion with a constant, dissonant unraveling, always trying to reform itself only to unravel yet again, beautifully performed by Crash Ensemble, and
exquisitely conducted by Ryan McAdams." - The Arts Review
Rave Reviews for Carmen in Turin, Florence and Rome
"...McAdams provided a reading of great originality and inspiration. In many respects his idea is not unlike that of the director: a journey to reach the deep core of the composition. McAdams' Carmen is essential...the sounds are clear, sharp, luminous, the rhythms sustained...an almost bel canto setting in its relationship with the song...the most dramatic moments do not lose strength in this conception..." - GBOpera (Teatro Regio Torino)
"[McAdams] showcased himself as an interpreter of class, with a decidedly convincing Seguidilla, accompanying the entire duet between Don José and Carmen with sensuality and attention to the voices. The third act was very good, especially the duet between Escamillo and Carmen, and the tragic finale. The rapport between the pit and the stage is perfection - pity that the amplification doesn't allow us to appreciate the thoughtful moments like the [Quintet] or his splendid Intermezzo..." - OperaClick (Teatro dell'Opera di Roma, Caracalla)
Raves For Madama Butterfly with Lyric Opera of Kansas City:
"Lyric Opera's Madama Butterfly is extraordinary. Madama Butterfly as conducted by Ryan McAdams with the Kansas City Symphony is transcendent. It is an emotional experience coupled with the luxuriant sounds of Puccini performed at the highest, most romantic levels. I have never seen Grand Opera performed as well.” - Broadway World
“The production was majestic, the cast strong and emotive, delivering Puccini’s lyrical gut-punches time and again. Karah Son was…spectacular. The orchestra, conducted by Ryan McAdams, was in powerhouse form…[performing] with assured, exuberant playing.” - KCStudio
"The marriage between the members of the Lyric Opera and the Kansas City Symphony prove to be a force that emotional walls can’t keep out...Madama Butterfly shapes up to be one of the best performances of 2018.” -In Kansas City
Buy Ryan's Recordings
Buy Ryan's Live Recording With the Israel Philharmonic /Angel Romero: Amazon.com
"The first time I heard Ryan McAdams' Scheherazade, I thought it was the best one ever recorded outside the city limits of Philadelphia. The second time I heard it, I thought it was the best one I have ever heard." - Fanfare Magazine
Andrew Hamilton's "Friendly Piece" with Crash Ensemble / Ryan McAdams
Commissioned in 2019 and written during Hamilton’s time as composer in residence with Crash Ensemble. ‘Friendly Piece’ alludes to hovering between things, to evade being pinned down. It explores friendliness and kindness giving you a “tiny bit of joy or even infuriating you.” Everything belongs. Recorded live at Kilkenny Arts Festival in 2023
Sam Perkin's "Children In The Universe" with Crash Ensemble / Ryan McAdams / Diamanda Le Berge Dramm
A Hybrid Symphony for Crash Ensemble and Halo Track, with Diamanda La Berge Dramm as Guide. Inspired by the writing of Charles Eisenstein. Composed by Sam Perkin during his time as Composer in Residence with Crash. The work was premiered at New Music Dublin in 2022.
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For ‘Crash Works I’, Crash Ensemble collaborated with leading Ireland based creators: composers Amy Rooney, Anselm McDonnell, songwriter and composer Laura Hyland, pianist and composer Yue Song, and harpist and composer Úna Monaghan. Each creator had development time with the ensemble over a 2-year period to work on the concepts and ideas for their commissions.
Wingform is a Crash Ensemble commission which marks the culmination of Barry's time as Composer in Residence with Crash. The work was premiered at New Music Dublin in 2021.
“Disposable Dissonance” features three continuous sections driven by different concepts of dissonance, each one “disposing” of it in a different way. Dennehy wrote this version of the piece specifically for the unique instrumentation of the Crash Ensemble.
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