Finnish Conductor Hannu Lintu Appointed Music Director of Gulbenkian Orchestra

A regular guest conductor of the orchestra, Lintu is also presently Chief Conductor at the Finnish National Opera and Ballet

Based in Lisbon, Portugal, the Gulbenkian Orchestra will see Hannu Lintu begin his tenure in September 2023, for an initial period of four years.

Lintu is also presently Chief Conductor of the Finnish National Opera and Ballet, prior to which he spent eight seasons at the helm of the Finnish Radio Symphony.

He is a graduate of Finland's Sibelius Academy, where he studied cello and conducting, the latter with the celebrated Finnish teacher Jorma Panula. In 1994 Lintu won First Prize at Bergen's Nordic Conducting Competition.

"I have been working and performing with the Orquestra Gulbenkian for years and each concert has been an immense joy," Lintu said of his appointment.

"The atmosphere and concentration are admirable and their music making always rewarding," he added. "The hall and the whole Fundção Calouste Gulbenkian community offer a unique and inspiring environment for music and art. I’m looking forward to many seasons full of elevating experiences with the wonderful Orchestra and the Coro Gulbenkian."

“Hannu Lintu’s deep knowledge of repertoire and his capacity of transmitting musical ideas to the orchestra is very special," said Risto Nieminen, the Director of the Fundação Calouste Gulbenkian.

"We are extremely happy to welcome him to lead the next chapter of Gulbenkian Orchestra’s musical journey."