Murat Cem Orhan is a distinguished Turkish conductor and composer known for his international collaborations, visionary artistic leadership, and commitment to cultural development.
He earned his Bachelor’s degree in Opera Singing from Dokuz Eylül University State Conservatory and pursued a Master’s degree in Opera at Istanbul University. He continued his postgraduate studies in Composition and Opera at Brooklyn College of Music in New York and obtained another Master’s degree in Orchestral Conducting under Antonio Pirolli at Mimar Sinan University. Additionally, he completed a second Master’s degree at Hacettepe University State Conservatory, writing a thesis on R. Leoncavallo's opera I Pagliacci under the mentorship of Prof. Rengim Gökmen.
In 2001, Orhan deepened his knowledge of Italian opera by studying with Prof. Stella Silva at Benedetto Marcello Conservatory in Venice. He further enriched his professional expertise by participating in masterclasses led by Renato Bruson at Accademia Chigiana Musicale, Raina Kabaivanska in Sofia, Jorma Panula, Alparslan Ertungealp, Michel Tabachnik, and William Hicks, the Chorus Master of the New York Metropolitan Opera.
Between 2022 and 2024, Orhan served as the Artistic Director of Cemal Reşit Rey Concert Hall (CRR) and as the Principal Conductor of the CRR Symphony Orchestra, significantly increasing audience engagement and revitalizing the venue’s reputation.
As a composer, Orhan won first place twice in the N.F. Eczacıbaşı National Composition Competition (2010, 2012). He composed three children's musicals and, in 2018, created the oratorio Kuva-yi Milliye’nin İnsan Manzaraları, inspired by Nazım Hikmet’s epic poem. That same year, he became a finalist in the 4th Svetlanov Conducting Competition in Paris.
Orhan possesses an extensive opera repertoire as a conductor, having led performances of The Abduction from the Seraglio, Così Fan Tutte, Don Giovanni, The Marriage of Figaro, Fidelio, Il Matrimonio Segreto, The Barber of Seville, L’Elisir d’Amore, La Bohème, Turandot, and Ayşe Operetta. He has conducted all major orchestras and opera houses in Turkey, bringing a refined interpretation and strong musical personality to each production.
On the international stage, he has collaborated with orchestras such as:
- Sofia Philharmonic Orchestra (Bulgaria)
- Zielona Góra Philharmonic Orchestra (Poland)
- Pori Sinfonietta (Finland)
- Slovak Radio Symphony Orchestra (Slovakia)
- Albanian Radio and Television Symphony Orchestra (Albania)
- Liepāja Symphony Orchestra (Latvia)
- Azerbaijan Opera Orchestra (Azerbaijan)
- Heidelberg Symphony Orchestra (Germany)
- Sinfonica Città di Grosseto (Italy)
In 2024, he conducted Olten Philharmonic Orchestra at the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam, receiving widespread acclaim. As the Artistic Director of CRR Symphony Orchestra, he led a significant concert at the Preludi D’Autunno Festival in Pavia, Italy, featuring works by Italian composers inspired by Turkish culture.
Following the 2023 Kahramanmaraş earthquake, Orhan initiated a project in collaboration with the Istanbul Music Festival and Metz Grand Est National Orchestra to provide instrument support for musicians affected by the disaster. His discography includes recordings of Turkish flute concertos, featuring flutist Bülent Evcil.
Orhan has collaborated with world-renowned soloists, including Fazıl Say, Maxim Vengerov, Sabine Meyer, Boris Berezovsky, Pietro Spagnoli, Dmitry Shishkin, Dag Jensen, Lucas Macías Navarro, Bruno Schneider, Alban Gerhardt, Kristóf Baráti, Hanna-Elisabeth Müller, and Joë Christophe.
Fluent in Italian, French, and English, Murat Cem Orhan effectively engages with international artists and institutions, solidifying his presence on the global artistic stage.