Breaking: Atlanta picks Nathalie Stutzmann as music director

Breaking: Atlanta picks Nathalie Stutzmann as music director

News

norman lebrecht

October 13, 2021

The French contralto and conductor has just been named music director of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, succeeding Robert Spano.

She will start next season.

Stutzmann, 56, will have to give up one of her other jobs as Principal Guest Conductor of the Philadelphia Orchestra and Chief Conductor of Norway’s Kristiansand Symphony Orchestra.

She is only the second woman to head a major US orchestra, after Marin Alsop at Baltimore. Her career is managed out of London by AskonasHolt.

Nathalie says: ‘“It is a privilege to be named Music Director of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra. The devoted commitment to music of the ASO musicians touches my heart. They have beautiful open minds, and they love to work hard, to be challenged and to take the necessary risks to serve the music and bring the highest levels of emotion to their audience. There is a special chemistry between the orchestra and me that we all immediately recognized, and this is the perfect time for us to deepen our relationship. After doing such wonderful work with Robert Spano over the past 20 years, the orchestra is in top shape, and I look forward to working with this incredible ensemble to chart new artistic territory. As a singer, I am also thrilled about the prospect of working with the ASO Chorus, which is one of America’s finest choirs. We are planning several ambitious projects, including performances of Mozart’s Requiem in March 2022 and of Bach’s St. Matthew Passion, a life-changing experience for any orchestra, during the 2022-23 season. It is also very important for us to connect with the Atlanta community, sharing our infectious love of music. Fulfilling the community’s hopes and expectations is a huge responsibility and a legacy that I am honored to continue.’

 

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