Bruce Ferden; Conducted Premieres of Philip Glass Operas

Bruce Ferden, 44, conductor of premieres of operas composed by Philip Glass. Ferden, a native of Fosston, Minn., studied at Moorhead State University in Minnesota and the University of Miami, and did graduate work at USC and the Juilliard School. He served as music director of the Nebraska Chamber Orchestra from 1982 to 1991 and of the Spokane Symphony from 1985 to 1991. During the following season, he was general music director of symphony and opera for the city of Aachen in Germany. A popular guest conductor, Ferden appeared with the St. Louis, San Francisco, Dallas and Pasadena symphonies and in 1988 conducted an opera hits concert at the Orange County Performing Arts Center. Ferden began his association with Glass’ controversial works in 1980, when he conducted the world premiere of “Satyagraha” at the Netherlands Opera. He later conducted the European premiere of Glass’ “The Making of the Representative for Planet 8,” also in the Netherlands. In October, Ferden made his debut at New York’s Metropolitan Opera conducting the world premiere of Glass’ “The Voyage.” On Sept. 19 in New York City of AIDS.