Israel Gursky, a rising young conductor, has been praised by the Washington Post for his "superb debut" with the Washington National Opera in 2007, leading performances of Don Giovanni. Last summer, Maestro Gursky led a concert with Plácido Domingo and Virginia Tola in Quebec, which was televised throughout Canada, as well as a gala concert in Pécs, Hungary, featuring Mr. Domingo along with winners of the Operalia competition.

During the 2008/09 season, he led performances of Howard Shore's opera, The Fly, at LA Opera, a critically acclaimed Roméo et Juliette at PORTopera (Portland, Maine), and Albert Herring at the University of Michigan. He also conducted in several concerts with the orchestra of the Washington National Opera, including performances with Plácido Domingo and Andrea Bocelli.

Upcoming performances include a return to LA Opera for Le Nozze di Figaro, Hansel and Gretel at PORTopera, and Faust at Opera Birmingham.

In recent seasons, Maestro Gursky conducted performances in China and Singapore with the Shanghai Opera Orchestra, productions of Werther at the University of Maryland and Transformations at Manhattan School of Music, and a concert with the Washington National Opera orchestra at the Strathmore Music Center.

Maestro Gursky has been an assistant conductor with the Washington National Opera since 2001, and has prepared more than 30 operas for the company. He has also served as assistant conductor and chorus master for the Wolf Trap Opera Company from 2000 to 2006.

A frequent recital collaborator, he has performed with many singers including Anna Tomowa-Sintow, Bejun Mehta, Kate Aldrich, Laquita Mitchell, Paul Sperry and Eric Cutler in venues that include Avery Fisher Hall, Alice Tully Hall, Weill Recital Hall and the 92nd Street Y. He has appeared on French television, A&E channel's "Breakfast with the Arts" and on numerous radio broadcasts.

A native of Tel Aviv, Israel, he is a graduate of Manhattan School of Music and of Stony Brook University, where he earned his doctorate. He recently was the winner of a conducting award from the George Solti Foundation. He serves on the faculty on Manhattan School of Music and lives in New York City.