The Netherlands’ Radio Filharmonisch Orkest Extends Chief Conductor Contract

Conductor Karina Canellakis will continue in her role until the end of the 2030/31 concert season

The Netherlands Radio Philharmonic Orchestra (RFO) has announced that Karina Canellakis will continue as its Chief Conductor until August 2031. Canellakis was first appointed to the position at the start of the 2019/20 season, succeeding Markus Stenz.

This news comes as the orchestra released its latest album with Canellakis on the Pentatone label, which follows their previous recording together of Bartók’s Concerto for Orchestra and Four Orchestral Pieces, which earned a GRAMMY nomination in 2024.

Throughout her partnership with the orchestra, Canellakis has also led a full cycle of Janáček’s operas, plus numerous Dutch and world premieres, including the Dutch premiere of Jörg Widmann’s Arche.

Since winning the 2016 Sir Georg Solti Conducting Award, Canellakis has led the New York Philharmonic, Boston Symphony, Cleveland Orchestra, San Francisco Symphony, Los Angeles Philharmonic, Rundfunk-Sinfonieorchester Berlin, NDR Elbphilharmonie, and more.

In 2019, she became the first woman to conduct the First Night of the BBC Proms, and in 2018, she was the first woman to conduct the Nobel Prize Concert with the Royal Stockholm Philharmonic. 

Currently, she also serves as Principal Guest Conductor of the London Philharmonic Orchestra (LPO), where her contract was extended by three years. Upcoming projects include her leading the LPO in the UK and on tour. 

“I am incredibly proud of how beautifully [the RFO] plays and excited about the way we continue to deepen our musical journey with passion and dedication,” Canellakis expressed. “There are some thrilling projects on the horizon, and I look forward to the next chapter of this wonderful collaboration.”

“We are delighted to continue this successful partnership,” added Simone Meijer, director of the Stichting Omroep Muziek broadcasting system. “Canellakis is a conductor who embraces artistic adventure, making her a perfect match for our ambition — to bring world-class live music to everyone.”