At the proposal of Aline Sam-Giao, General Director of the Auditorium, the Mayor of Lyon Grégory Doucet, in agreement with the Minister of Culture Rima Abdul-Malak, decided to renew Nikolaj Szeps-Znaider’s musical director contract for a period of 3 years starting with the 2024-2025 season.
Nikolaj Szeps-Znaider assumed the direction of the National Orchestra of Lyon in September 2020 for four seasons. At the end of the first two, he confirmed his desire to continue the adventure with the orchestra. His renewal, with the consent of a large majority of musicians, will allow him to unfold his project over seven years. ” An important renovation to reap the fruits of in-depth work started well two years ago “He says Aline Sam Giao.
During his first two seasons, thanks to rigorously performed painstaking work as well as promising vision and energy for the musicians, Nikolaj Szeps-Znaider considerably strengthened the qualities of the orchestra. ” Giving this relationship more time should allow it to become so natural that each instinctively knows the other’s expectations. says Nikolaj Szeps-Znaider.
Its objective is for the ONL to be recognized as a great international orchestra, through artistic work, recordings, tours and the complicity that its own international projection gives it. As of 2024, he plans to continue relying on the generous and warm sound of the orchestra, and work both on the interpretation of the essential classical repertoire for each orchestra, the great German repertoire as beloved as Mahler or Strauss, as well as French composers, ADN of the National Orchestra of Lyon.
Nikolaj Szeps-Znaider also wishes to strengthen the relationship of trust that is established with the public of Lyon by getting closer to meeting the inhabitants, in particular through the extramural concerts scheduled in the city.
” I have high ambitions for the orchestra and feel we are moving in the right direction, but it takes time for an ensemble and its music director to find their own voice. I know that we can get there with constant work and commitment from both myself and the musicians. »
Nikolaj Szeps-Znaider,
musical director of the National Orchestra of Lyon
” I am delighted with the renewal of Nikolaj Szeps-Znaider at the head of the Lyon National Orchestra. This will allow us to further deepen our artistic and human relationship and build very beautiful musical projects together. May the journey continue and take us as far as possible! »
Giovanni Radivo,
solo violin supersolo of the National Orchestra of Lyon
“ The city of Lyon is happy with the renewal of Nikolaj Szeps-Znaider as music director. At the head of the one hundred and four permanent musicians that make up the orchestra, he will be able to continue his meetings with the public of Lyon and contribute with his talent to the demanding and open missions that are those of the National Orchestra. of Lyons. »
Nathalie Perrin-Gilbert,
Deputy Mayor for Culture
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