With a career spanning several decades since his graduation from The Juilliard School, Constantine Orbelian has made a name for himself on the international stage. The famed piano prodigy and conductor now returns to New York—just after the release of his latest album, I Puritani—as the newly appointed Music Director of the New York City Opera (NYCO). Though Orbelian takes pride in the NYCO’s penchant for presenting lesser known operas, his first go at the podium will be conducting Rigoletto on August 29th. For the conductor, it won’t be just another Rigoletto—the last time he presented it was alongside the late superstar, Dmitri Hvorostovsky—so this production carries an extra special significance for Orbelian and the NYCO.

Taking on this new role, Orbelian has made it his mission to expand access to opera to younger audiences and emerging artists alike. He speaks with smART Magazine about what that means to him, and how he envisions the NYCO’s role in the future of North American opera.