Raymond Gniewek

Who is Raymond Gniewek?

Raymond Gniewek is an American violinist. He served as concertmaster of the Metropolitan Opera orchestra for 43 years; upon his appointment in 1957 he was the youngest person to ever hold the post. He has also had a career as a soloist. His final performance as concertmaster with the orchestra was a performance of Béla Bartók's Bluebeard's Castle in 2000. Gniewek is a native of New York City, where he began his musical education; he continued at the Eastman School of Music, studying with Andre de Ribaupierre and Joseph Knitzer, becoming concertmaster of the Eastman Rochester Orchestra and associate concertmaster of Rochester Philharmonic under Erich Leinsdorf. One of his teachers was the violinist Albert Pratz.

Gniewek is currently married to soprano Judith Blegen. He was formerly married to ballet dancer and Pilates instructor Lolita San Miguel.