Meet the Conductors
SIMONE YOUNG
Chief Conductor
Australian-born Simone Young AM is internationally recognised as one of the leading conductors of her generation. Simone Young has been announced as the Sydney Symphony Orchestra’s Chief Conductor from 2022.
DONALD RUNNICLES
Principal Guest Conductor
Donald Runnicles OBE is the General Music Director of the Deutsche Oper Berlin and Music Director of the Grand Teton Music Festival. In 2018 Donald Runnicles was announced as Principal Guest Conductor of the Sydney Symphony Orchestra.
Benjamin Northey
Conductor in Residence (commencing 2025)
Australian conductor Benjamin Northey is the Chief Conductor of the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra, Principal Conductor in Residence of the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra and, commencing in 2025, the Conductor in Residence of the Sydney Symphony Orchestra.
Vladimir Ashkenazy
Conductor Laureate
Russian-born Vladimir Ashkenazy first came to prominence in the 1955 Chopin Festival in Warsaw and after winning the 1956 Queen Elisabeth Competition in Brussels. He established himself as one of the premier pianists of the 20th century before expanding his musical interests to include conducting.
