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A Historic Appointment for Conductor Nathalie Stutzmann

Nathalie Stutzmann
Stephanie Slama
Nathalie Stutzmann has been named music director of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra

The Philadelphia Orchestra's principal guest conductor, Nathalie Stutzman, has been named music director of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra. She follows in the footsteps of only a few women trailblazers leading major American orchestras, including Marin Alsop, who recently stepped down as music director of the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, and JoAnn Falletta, who leads the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra.

Widely recognized as “a musician of great refinement and sophistication” (The Times of London), whose performances are known for their “delicate sensuality” (Die Welt) and “huge emotional punch” (Seen and Heard International), Stutzmann currently holds positions as principal guest conductor of The Philadelphia Orchestraand chief conductor of Norway’s Kristiansand Symphony Orchestra. Her position with The Philadelphia Orchestra will continue.

The French conductor is also an acclaimed contralto. Watch her here as she sings from the podium while conducting. In a word, she's astonishing.

Stutzmann will serve an initial term of four years with the 27-time Grammy-winning ASO starting next fall.

Looking forward to the new appointment, Stutzmann comments:

“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.

In Atlanta, Stutzmann follows past ASO Music Directors Henry Sopkin, Robert Shaw, Yoel Levi and Robert Spano.

More details are here from The Philadelphia Inquirer's Peter Dobrin.