Orchestre de Chambre de Lausanne Appoints Dominique Meyer as Executive Director

Meyer returns to Lausanne having recently concluded his time at La Scala

Dominique Meyer, who was previously Director of Milan's La Scala, has been appointed as the new Executive Director of Switzerland's Orchestre de Chambre de Lausanne (OCL). He will step into the position on July 15, 2024, and will be joined by Julie Mestre, the orchestra's new Director of Operations.

Meyer's exit from La Scala was seen as controversial to some: he is one of a number of non-Italian directors at Italian houses, such as Stéphane Lissner, who may have lost their jobs as a result of a new nationalist climate cultivated by Giorgia Meloni, Italy's far-right Premier.

When Fortunato Ortombina was announced as Meyer's successor at La Scala, Gennaro Sangiuliano, Italy's culture minister, commented that "after three foreign general directors...an Italian returns to La Scala."

Meyer is no stranger to Lausanne, having directed the Opera from 1994 to 1999. During this time, he was also a member of the founding board of the OCL. In addition to his post at La Scala, Meyer has also directed the Théâtre des Champs Élysées and the Wiener Staatsoper.

"We are very happy with this double arrival," said Edgar Phillipin, President of the OCL. "Dominique Meyer is an experienced professional, whose reputation is well established, and his arrival is a great opportunity for our orchestra. His future association with Julie Mestre, added to the expertise of our artistic director Renaud Capuçon, promises a quality of management and an influence that matches the challenges and ambitions of the Lausanne Chamber Orchestra."

"It is with great emotion that I return to Lausanne to accompany this magnificent world-class orchestra," Meyer said. "I am very excited about the duo that I will form with Julie Mestre, serving our loyal audience and the artistic talent of Renaud Capuçon and all the musicians."

"What an exciting prospect!"