New General Music Director Lorenzo Viotti

The Zurich Opera House is delighted to announce the appointment of Lorenzo Viotti as its new General Music Director for the 2028/29 and 2029/30 seasons. With Viotti, the house gains one of the most distinguished and charismatic artistic personalities of his generation. The initial contract term is set at two years and is aligned with the current tenure of Intendant Matthias Schulz.

Viotti’s expressive power, versatility, and deep understanding of both opera and concert repertoire make him one of the defining conducting voices of today. The Swiss-born Lorenzo Viotti has already thrilled Zurich audiences as conductor of the productions “Werther” (2018), “Die Csárdásfürstin” (2020), and “Die tote Stadt” (2025). He can currently be seen once again conducting the Orchestra of the Zurich Opera House with the new production of “Die Fledermaus”.

Viotti succeeds Gianandrea Noseda, who has shaped the house with artistic clarity, passion, and the highest standards since 2021. His distinctive style, energy, and commitment have played a decisive role in the orchestra’s artistic development.

Matthias Schulz, Intendant of the Zurich Opera House: “With Lorenzo Viotti, a Swiss conductor who knows the Opernhaus Zürich exceptionally well and is recognized internationally as one of the defining voices of his generation, the house welcomes a new General Music Director. His musicality and presence promise artistic brilliance, courage, and fresh impulses for our program. I would like to express my heartfelt thanks to Gianandrea Noseda for his outstanding work, his deeply rooted musicality, and his professionalism, with which he has decisively shaped the Opernhaus Zürich as General Music Director since 2021. During his tenure, he has elevated the orchestra and ensembles to a new artistic level and set internationally visible milestones – notably with the Ring cycles, acclaimed by both audiences and critics. We look on this intense and inspiring period with great respect and gratitude, and to the continued collaboration with much anticipation. Together, over the next two and a half years, we will realize significant new productions, concerts, and tours – and hopefully beyond.”

Gianandrea Noseda, General Music Director of the Zurich Opera House: “The Opernhaus Zürich and I have accomplished so much together since I began my tenure in August 2021. I look forward to my remaining time with its wonderful people: we have many ambitious plans, including new productions and historic tours that will be announced in the coming weeks. I wish Lorenzo Viotti all the best for his future with the Opernhaus.”

Designated General Music Director Lorenzo Viotti: “Over the years, Zurich has become an essential artistic place for me. From the very beginning, I have found constant support and inspiration there. The musicians, the ensembles, and the institution as a whole embody a singular artistic culture in which music and humanity are inseparable. To accompany this house as General Music Director and to build upon the outstanding work of Gianandrea Noseda is, for me, a great joy and a privilege.”

Born in Lausanne into a Franco-Italian musical family, Viotti initially studied piano, voice, and percussion in Lyon before continuing his conducting education in Vienna and Weimar. He gained international recognition by winning several prestigious competitions, including the Nestlé Young Conductors Award at the Salzburg Festival, the MDR Symphony Orchestra Conducting Competition, and the International Conducting Competition Cadaqués. In 2017, he was honored as "Newcomer of the Year" at the International Opera Awards.

In the 2025/26 season, he will be appearing on major stages worldwide, including with the Vienna Philharmonic, the Vienna Symphony Orchestra, the Orchestre National de France, the Orchestra of the Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia in Rome, and the Filarmonica della Scala, with which he continues his successful collaboration. He will also conduct the Gulbenkian Orchestra in Lisbon and the Netherlands Philharmonic Orchestra, where he served as chief conductor until 2025. Further engagements with the Tokyo Symphony Orchestra in Japan, where he will assume the role of musical director from the 2026/27 season, will also take him back to Asia.

A passionate opera conductor, Viotti made his debut at the Palau de les Arts in Valencia with "Faust" and returns to the Zurich Opera House for "Die Fledermaus" as well as to the Vienna State Opera for Puccini’s "Il Trittico". His tenure as chief conductor of the Dutch National Opera (2021–2025) was marked by critically acclaimed productions such as "Peter Grimes", the Amsterdam premiere of "Die Fledermaus", and a three-year Puccini cycle in collaboration with director Barrie Kosky.

Previously, he conducted productions at La Scala in Milan, the Paris Opera, the Zurich Opera House, and the Semperoper Dresden. In the symphonic realm, he has worked with the Cleveland Orchestra, the Munich Philharmonic, the Gewandhaus Orchestra Leipzig, the Berlin Philharmonic, the Staatskapelle Berlin, the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, and many other esteemed ensembles.