The Tehran Symphony Orchestra has appointed its first-ever female conductor, Paniz Faryousefi, who will lead this week’s Land of Simurgh concerts.
Faryousefi will conduct performances on Wednesday and Thursday at Vahdat Hall, according to Iranian media.
The program features works by Iranian composers Aftab Darvishi and Golfam Khayam, alongside compositions by Robert Schumann, Jean Sibelius, and Aram Khachaturian.
“Art belongs to humanity, not to men and women,” Faryousefi said. “The presence of a female conductor in Iran may still seem a bit unusual, but music is our common language, and this issue doesn’t matter between me and the orchestra members.”
Faryousefi said that initial rehearsals required time for coordination, but after three sessions, the performances became fluid and cohesive, with orchestra members demonstrating professionalism and empathy.
Trained as a violinist, Faryousefi studied in Armenia, where conductor Aram Gharabekian had a significant influence on her development.
She cited Russian conductor Stanislav Kochanovsky as an inspiring figure, praising the minimalism and beauty of his work.
Faryousefi credited the Rudaki Foundation and the orchestra’s artistic council for selecting her, calling the appointment a sign of confidence and support for women in Iran’s classical music scene.
“I hope my experience can pave the way for other enthusiasts in the field of orchestral conducting,” she said.
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