Australia's Sydney Symphony Announces New Chief Conductor

The Sydney Symphony Orchestra has this week announced the appointment of Australian conductor Simone Young as the ensemble's new Chief Conductor

The Sydney Symphony Orchestra in Sydney, Australia, has this week announced the appointment of Australian conductor Simone Young as the ensemble's new Chief Conductor - effective from the commencement of the 2022 season.

Simone has previously served as Artistic Director of the Hamburg State Opera and as Music Director of the Hamburg Philharmonic State Orchestra - and currently holds the position of Principal Guest Conductor with the Lausanne Chamber Orchestra.

She has also previously guest conducted performances with the Vienna Philharmonic, the Berlin Philharmonic, San Francisco Symphony, Los Angeles Philharmonic, New York Philharmonic and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.

“Simone Young is one of Australia’s greatest musical exports ... that she has agreed to become our Chief Conductor represents a landmark moment in the history of the Sydney Symphony - and for classical music in Australia," Sydney Symphony CEO Emma Dunch has this week said.

"I am thrilled to take up this role with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra ... as an orchestra, it is amongst the world’s finest ..." the 58-year-old conductor has this week said.

"Since my first appearances with the Sydney Symphony 23 years ago, I have witnessed its extraordinary artistic growth ... it’s a virtuosic ensemble and it is an Orchestra of which every Australian can be proud,” she has said.