Conductor Samy Rachid Steps in Last Minute for Andris Nelsons

Assistant conductor Rachid stepped in when Nelsons was indisposed after performing the first work of the Boston Symphony’s program

During the Boston Symphony Orchestra’s subscription concerts featuring soprano Renée Fleming and baritone Rod Gilfry, conductor Andris Nelsons fell ill after conducting the concert’s opening work, Mozart’s Overture to The Abduction from the Seraglio. 

The Latvian conductor has been the music director of the BSO since the start of the 2014/15 season. In his 10th anniversary season with the BSO, Nelsons also continues his collaborations with the Berlin Philharmonic and Vienna Philharmonic. 

At the last minute, Nelsons’ assistant conductor Samy Rachid stepped in to perform the rest of the program involving Mozart’s Symphony No. 36, Linz, and Kevin Puts’ The Brightness of Light, for soprano, baritone, and orchestra.

"Thank you to my friend and assistant conductor @samyrachid_conductor for stepping in at such short notice this weekend," Nelsons posted on his Instagram. "You were fantastic and did the @bostonsymphony family proud!"

Hailing from France, Rachid was named an assistant conductor of the BSO by Nelsons for the start of the 2023/24 season. In the role, he made his BSO debut at Tanglewood and subscription debut at Symphony Hall this year. 

Rachid was formerly the cellist of the award-winning Arod Quartet, but left the group in 2021 to focus on conducting. After his second prize win at the Tokyo International Music Competition for Conducting, he worked with Orchestre Elektra, becoming their music director for the 2022/23 season. He is also assistant conductor of the Opéra National du Rhin. 

Additionally, he was a conducting fellow of the Verbier Festival working with Gianandrea Noseda and Klaus Mäkelä, and took part in the Gstaad Conducting Academy, where he worked with Jaap van Zweden and was the first French conductor to receive the Academy’s Neeme Järvi Prize. A student of Mathieu Herzog, Rachid has assisted him with the Orchestre Appassionato. 

Since 2021, Rachid has conducted the NHK Symphony Orchestra, Gstaad Festival Orchestra, Verbier Festival Orchestra and Chamber Orchestra, PKF Prague Philharmonia, Tokyo Philharmonic, New Japan Philharmonic, Sinfonie Orchester Biel Solothurn, Orchestre Philharmonique de Strasbourg, Orchestre Symphonique de Mulhouse, and Hungarian Symphony Orchestra Szeged.

“Still processing the whirlwind of emotions from last night,” Rachid posted on Instagram. “It was quite a shock to step in for Maestro Andris Nelsons during the concert featuring Mozart’s ‘Linz’ Symphony and Kevin Puts’ Boston premiere of The Brightness of Light.

“Sharing the stage with the incredible Renee Fleming, Rod Gilfry, and the remarkable BSO was a truly unforgettable experience,” he added. “My thoughts are with Maestro Nelsons for a swift recovery.”