Anton Rist was appointed principal clarinetist of the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra in 2016. He previously held principal positions with the Princeton and New Haven Symphony Orchestras. In addition, Mr. Rist has performed with the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra, the Grant Park Festival Orchestra, the Orchestra of St. Luke's, the Louisiana Philharmonic, the American Ballet Theater, and on several Broadway productions. Mr. Rist toured Japan with the New York Symphonic Ensemble, and has performed as a chamber musician throughout Europe and Asia. As a soloist, Mr. Rist has performed with the Mainly Mozart Festival of Orchestras, the Cheyenne Symphony, the Knoxville Symphony, and the Sullivan County Chamber Orchestra.
A dedicated teacher, Mr. Rist has presented masterclasses across the country, and has taught at the Juilliard and Manhattan School of Music Precollege divisions. He has been a faculty member at the Colorado College Summer Music Festival, the Hidden Valley Festival of Winds, and the Interlochen Arts Camp. In addition, Mr. Rist has appeared at Festival Mozaic, the St. Barts Music Festival, Bravo!Vail, and is a founding member of the Montserrat Music Festival in the West Indies.
Born and raised in New York City, Mr. Rist received two degrees from the Juilliard School, where he studied with Jon Manasse. His other major teachers were Larry Guy and Jo-Ann Sternberg. While a student, Mr. Rist attended the Verbier, Pacific, and Aspen Music Festivals.