Cristina Mateo
Spanish clarinetist Cristina Mateo Sáez has been prizewinner of several national and international competitions, including Grand Prize in the Pasadena Showcase House Instrumental Competition (Los Angeles), Second Prize at Lancelot International Clarinet Competition (France); Second Prize in the International Clarinet Association (ICA), among others.
Ms. Mateo Sáez has appeared as a soloist with different orchestras, including the Rouen Opera Orchestra playing the world premiere Concerto for Clarinet and Orchestra “Summerwind” by F. Tanada; the Colburn Orchestra under the baton of Esa-Pekka Salonen, playing the Mozart Clarinet Concerto Kv.622, Introduction, Theme and Variations by G. Rossini with the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra or Tomasi Clarinet Concerto with the National Repertory Orchestra.
In 2020 she graduated from her Bachelor and Masters of Music degrees at The Colburn Conservatory, in Los Angeles, where she studied with Mr. Yehuda Gilad,; having previously studied with Javier Trigos in Spain. After that, she moved back to Europe and held the Clarinet Position at the Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Academy while freelancing in severeal different countries in Europe.
Cristina has collaborated as a Principal Clarinet with orchestras around the world, including the Philharmonia Orchestra, Danish National Orchestra, Swedish Chamber Orchestra, Minnesota Orchestra, the Royal Opera (Teatro Real) in Madrid, or the Navarra Symphony Orchestra; and has worked with renowned artists such as Gianandrea Noseda, Esa-Pekka Salonen, Neville Marriner, Stéphane Devène, Sol Gabetta or Yo-Yo Ma.
In addition to her orchestral career and solo performances, she is a chamber music lover. One of her highlights is playing the Dvořák Serenade for Woodwinds, Op.44 together with Andrew Marriner.
In 2019, Cristina released her first clarinet and piano album, “Grand Duo” which includes pieces by Weber, Guastavino and Setaccioli.
In her free time, she enjoys being in nature, doing yoga, and spending time with friends.