Chicago Symphony Orchestra Names New Chorus Director

Donald Palumbo will step into the role from July 1, 2025

The Chicago Symphony Orchestra Association (CSOA) announced the appointment of the choral conductor and educator Donald Palumbo as the next Chorus Director of the Chicago Symphony Chorus. He was elected unanimously by the search committee and will begin his initial three-year term on July 1, 2025.

Palumbo will be only the third person to hold the role since the Chorus was founded 67 years ago. He succeeds Duain Wolfe, who led 28 seasons, and Margaret Hillis, the founding director of the Chorus, who was appointed by Fritz Reiner.

Palumbo has held long-term and distinguished chorus-master positions, beginning with a stint at Dallas Opera in the 1980s, where he was assistant to Roberto Benaglio (La Scala). Between 1991 and 2007, he was Chorus Master at the Lyric Opera of Chicago, and he followed this with the same post at the Metropolitan Opera — where his work with the Met Chorus received seven GRAMMY Awards.

He has also held similar positions at the Opéra de Lyon, the Aix-en-Provence Festival, the Théȃtre du Chȃtelet, and the Teatro Massimo in Palermo, and from 1999 to 2001, he was the Chorus Director of the Salzburg Festival — as the first American to hold the post.

"In his previous work as guest director with the Chicago Symphony Chorus, Donald Palumbo immediately created an atmosphere of collaboration that yielded exceptional artistry from the members of the Chorus," said CSOA President Jeff Alexander. "His distinguished tenures at the Metropolitan Opera and Lyric Opera of Chicago only added to the search committee’s interest in inviting him to step into this essential artistic role that allows us to present choral and operatic masterworks from the repertoire at the highest level."

"Through our conversations with Donald and his clear enthusiasm for working with the Chicago Symphony Chorus, we knew this would be the ideal choice to build on the legacy of this award-winning ensemble. We are delighted to welcome him to the CSO family."

"I am extremely honored to have been chosen to lead this prestigious group of musicians," Palumbo said. "I have admired their work since my arrival in Chicago in 1991, when I first met Margaret Hillis and attended many performances by the Chorus. My recent work with them in preparing programs for Maestro Muti was a high point in my artistic life, and I’m excited about future collaborations with Maestro Mäkelä."

"They have set the gold standard for choral singing through their vocal and musical skills, and by their commitment to excellence in every rehearsal and performance. I look forward to our collaboration in continuing the rich legacy of the Chorus."