Nikolaj Znaider Announced New Music Director of France’s Lyon National Orchestra

The Orchestre national de Lyon has announced the appointment of violinist and conductor Nikolaj Znaider as its new Music Director

The Orchestre national de Lyon, in Lyon, France has today announced the appointment of violinist and conductor Nikolaj Znaider as its new Music Director - effective from September 2020.

The 43-year-old Israeli-Danish virtuoso will succeed conductor Leonard Slatkin in the leadership role - who left the ensemble in September 2017.

Nikolaj, whose initial contract with the ensemble will span 4 years, currently serves as Principal Guest Conductor with the Swedish Chamber Orchestra and the Mariinsky Theatre Orchestra.

"I couldn’t imagine better circumstances under which to begin this next chapter of my musical life ..." Nikolaj has said.

The Orchestre national de Lyon is based in a vibrant city that offers full and meaningful support to its cultural institutions ... it is an honour, a privilege and above all a great pleasure to be joining them in this quest," he has said.