Tokyo Symphony Orchestra Hires New Music Director

The 34-year-old Swiss conductor Lorenzo Viotti will step into the role

Japan's Tokyo Symphony Orchestra (TSO) has appointed Lorenzo Viotti as its next Music Director, starting from the 2026/27 season for an initial term of three years. Viotti has a close relationship with the TSO, having made his professional debut there in 2014.

Viotti is currently Chief Conductor of the Netherlands Philharmonic Orchestra and the Dutch National Opera, and he also makes frequent appearances at Oper Zürich. As a symphonic conductor, he has led orchestras including the Vienna Philharmonic, Berlin Philharmonic, Staatskapelle Berlin, Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, and the Cleveland Orchestra.

Hailing from Lausanne, Switzerland, Viotti trained as a percussionist, pianist, and singer, before studying conducting with Georg Mark in Vienna. He went on to attend the University of Music "Franz Liszt" in Weimar, studying with Nicolas Pasquet.

Viotti has won numerous conducting prizes, including the Nestlé Young Conductors Award at the Salzburg Festival in 2015, the 11th International Conducting Competition of the Cadaqués Orchestra, the MDR Symphony Orchestra Conductors Competition, and the "Newcomer of the Year" prize at the International Opera Awards in London.

"The Tokyo Symphony was my first professional orchestra in my career," Viotti said. "With no experience in an orchestra of this level, I remember being wonderfully welcomed by its musicians. Their loyalty, love, and passion for this art are things that have not changed over the years."

"Classical music in Japan is a significant cultural pillar, and I am deeply touched and honored to contribute to its continuity. I look forward to starting this musical day and sharing my passion for this art with the Japanese audience and the wonderful musicians of the Tokyo Symphony Orchestra."