BIOGRAPHY

Croatian/American conductor Zvonimir Hačko is known for his passion, artistic rigor, and inspiration — "a type of artistic commitment that transforms his orchestras into a superb ensemble" and creates "music that brings audiences to their feet." Critics and audiences alike have praised him for his masterful interpretation of both the standard and contemporary repertoire. He is an avid proponent of contemporary music and has given area premieres of many works by such composers as Peteris Vasks, Erkki-Sven Tuur, Arvo Paert, Einojuhani Rautavaara, Henryk Gorecki, John Tavener, John Adams, Giya Kancheli, and others.

Mr. Hačko has performed extensively in the United States, Europe, Asia and South America and continues to be engaged in major artistic projects internatinally. He has appeared with various orchestras including the Polish Radio Symphony Orchestra, the Schoenberg Orchestra, Kielce Philharmonic, Los Angeles Baroque Orchestra, the Warsaw Festival Orchestra and Choir, Ensemble International, and various orchestras and choir in the countries of former Yugoslavia, the Netherlands, and Hungary.
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In the United States he has served as music director of Mid-Columbia Symphony Orchestra, Michiana Symphony Orchestra, Columbia River Music Festival, Sacramento Chamber Orchestra, and Sacramento Philharmonic Orchestra. He has recently extended his contract with Oregon Music Festival (Portland, Oregon) and has signed a new contract with Portland Civic Orchestra. Recent years have also been a time of substantial international activity. He has served as the Music Director of Österreichische Symphoniker and Lentia Music Festival (both in Austria) for five seasons and has guest conducted such orchestras as Orchestra da Camera Fiorentina (Florence, Italy), Izmir State Symphony (Turkey), Orquesta de Camara de Bellas Artes (Mexico City), Orchestra Sinfonica Lecce (Italy), Haifa Symphony, Poznan Philharmonic Orchestra (Poland), North Arkansas Symphony Orchestra (USA), Dubrovnik Symphony Orchestra, Orchestra Sinfonica Siciliana, Croatian Chamber Orchestra. Camerata Serbica (tour of Austria), Oregon Mozart Players, Symphony Orchestra of Croatian National Theater, Symphony Orchestra of Serbian Radio-Television, State of Mexico Symphony, Camerata Austriaca and others. Future guest conducting appearances include Istanbul Chamber Orchestra, Oregon Festival Orchestra, Salzburg Soloists, Cappella Romana, Portland Civic Orchestra, Symphony Takoma, Krakow Chamber Orchestra, ​Euro Sinfonietta Wien and a US tour with ​Prague Chamber Orchestra.

Upon the nostrification of his diploma by the Academy of Music in Zagreb, Mr.Hačko continued his studies of music, philosophy, and the visual arts in London and Reading (England). He went to America in 1971 to further his education and received a Master's degree in conducting from the University of Washington and a Doctorate in conducting from Indiana University, Jacobs School of Music (Bloomington). His main teachers include Herbert Blomstedt, Robert Porco, and Leonard Bernstein. Since 1999 he has led an active international career and now divides his time between Europe and USA.
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