Edmonton Symphony Orchestra Appoints New Music Director

The Canadian conductor Jean-Marie Zeitouni will step into the role

Canada's Edmonton Symphony Orchestra (ESO) has welcomed conductor Jean-Marie Zeitouni as its new Music Director from the opening of the 2025/26 season. He is only the third Canadian to hold the post in the orchestra's 73-year history.

Zeitouni has been closely associated with the ESO since his debut with the orchestra in 2006. Since that time, he has led more than 35 performances with both the ESO and Edmonton Opera, and he was appointed as the ESO's artistic partner in the 2019–20 season.

He has appeared with the symphony orchestras of Montreal, Toronto, Vancouver Quebec, Edmonton, Calgary, Winnipeg, and Halifax as well as the National Arts Orchestra. Internationally, he has conducted in Hong Kong, Moscow, Cincinnati, Rio de Janeiro, Detroit, Honolulu, Houston, Oregon, Monterey, San Antonio, and Omaha.

Zeitouni has also led the Handel and Haydn Society of Boston, the Pacific Symphony, Seattle Symphony Orchestra, the Phoenix Symphony Orchestra, the Philharmonique de Marseille, the National Symphony of Mexico, the Hong Kong Philharmonic, and the Detroit Symphony.

He is the recipient of multiple JUNO nominations, and won the 2007 JUNO Award for Classical Album of the Year for Piazzolla on the ATMA Classics label.

"Edmonton is home to one of the finest orchestras in North America and to an acoustic gem, the Winspear Centre," Zeitouni said. "To help shape its future is both a joy and a responsibility — one I embrace with energy and passion."

"I have the greatest respect for the musicians as well as for the entire organization. Edmonton is a vibrant city with a passionate, engaged audience that knows how to support its artists. I’m excited to grow my connection with this wonderful community that champions bold ideas and artistic creativity."

"Jean-Marie Zeitouni’s appointment is a defining moment for the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra," said Annemarie Leenhouts-Petrov, the president and CEO of the ESO and the Winspear Centre. "As a distinguished Canadian conductor, and a deeply gifted musician and collaborator, I look forward to our work together."

"With his vision, musical leadership and keen intelligence, we have the opportunity to become the most relevant orchestra of the 21st century, to be cherished in our home city and recognized well beyond our province and country."