Conductor Jader Bignamini Signs with Askonas Holt Management

The Italian conductor has signed with the UK artist management company for European representation

For his engagements with orchestras around Europe, Jader Bignamini will be managed by Antonio Orlando and Terry Shew at Askonas Holt. 

Born in Crema, Italy, Bignamini began learning the clarinet at age 9. He later attended the Piacenza Music Conservatory and took up conducting as well as an interest in jazz music. 

Bignamini has served as music director of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra (DSO) since the 2021/22 season and is resident conductor of Italy’s Orchestra Sinfonica di Milano Giuseppe Verdi — having previously been their assistant conductor under Riccardo Chailly.

In addition to his work in Detroit and Milan, his recent symphonic highlights include concerts with Houston Symphony, Minnesota Orchestra, Dallas Symphony, Residentie Orkest, and New Jersey Symphony. 

As a theater conductor, Bignamini has shared the stage with the Metropolitan Opera, Wiener Staatsoper, Dutch National Opera, Santa Fe Opera, Oper Frankfurt, and Bayerische Staatsoper.

His upcoming projects include performing with the Toronto Symphony, making his Cleveland Orchestra debut at Blossom Festival, and conducting at Deutsche Oper Berlin and Opéra de Paris.

Bignamini is also known for conducting his concerts without music — something he has done since a very young age.

“I love to conduct by heart because it’s so important to have eye contact with the orchestra,” Bignamini told the DSO. “With a score, I see the paper and not always the musicians. Without a score, you can see the musicians and you can do much more with your ears. You listen with your ears, not with your eyes.”

GUSTAV MAHLER | SYMPHONY NO. 4 (EXCERPT) | DETROIT SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA | JADER BIGNAMINI | 2019