The French conductor will lead the Monegasque institution for a four-year term starting from September 2026. The appointment was announced during a public press conference held in the Principality.
The Monte-Carlo Philharmonic Orchestra has confirmed the appointment of Nathalie Stutzmann as the new musical and artistic director. Her term will begin on September 1, 2026, lasting for four years. The announcement was made this Wednesday, December 10, 2025, at 3 p.m. by H.R.H. Princess of Hanover, president of the orchestra’s Board of Directors, during a press conference open to the public. This decision marks an important turning point in the history of the institution founded in 1856.
The future director will succeed Kazuki Yamada. The Japanese conductor has held the artistic and musical direction since 2016. His contract will end in August 2026. The transition takes place in a context marked by a long-standing collaboration between the orchestra and the French conductor. Many seasons have indeed resulted in joint projects, in both the lyrical and symphonic repertoires.
Regular collaborations have punctuated the past ten years. L’Elisir d’amore was presented in 2014, followed by Tannhäuser in 2017. Several symphonic concerts have also marked recent seasons. The Principality also honored Nathalie Stutzmann in 2014 by promoting her to the rank of officer in the Order of Cultural Merit.
This appointment places the artist at the head of the OPMC as the 19th musical and artistic director since the orchestra’s creation. Her assumption of the role will also mark a first, as no woman had previously held this responsibility within the Monegasque ensemble.
Nathalie Stutzmann: “I am delighted with all the artistic opportunities that lie ahead of us”
In a statement released during the announcement, Nathalie Stutzmann shared her vision and expectations: “I am very honored to become the next Musical and Artistic Director of the Monte-Carlo Philharmonic Orchestra. This orchestra, established in 1856, is rich with a unique and inspiring artistic spirit and history, and I am delighted with all the artistic opportunities that lie ahead of us. My collaboration with the orchestra began ten years ago, and over all these years, we have forged a beautiful understanding and shared an immense joy of making music together. I look forward to exploring new musical horizons and continuing to share our passion for excellence with the Monegasque audience, and to shine the light of the OPMC worldwide. I am eager to write this new chapter with the musicians and the community that surrounds and supports this remarkable institution, and I am deeply grateful for the support and trust of our Board Chair, H.R.H. Princess of Hanover.”
The French conductor had been serving since the 2022-2023 season as the musical director of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra. This international endeavor was part of a career marked by training with Finnish professor Jorma Panula, through whom she refined her artistic journey with studies in piano, bassoon, and cello.
The French contralto boasts more than 80 recordings. Her works have been awarded several distinctions. The album Contralto, released in January 2021, received the “Exceptional” label from Scherzo magazine, the Gold Diamond from Opéra magazine, and the Classic d’Or from RTL. Her artistic career has been recognized by several national honors, including the titles of Chevalier of the Legion of Honor and Commander in the Order of Arts and Letters.
The past season featured a notable debut at the Bayreuth Festival in Wagner’s Tannhäuser. Two Metropolitan Opera productions also benefited from her leadership: Mozart’s Die Zauberflöte and Don Giovanni. Her arrival in Monaco thus fits within an already established international dynamic.
The appointment made official this Wednesday of Nathalie Stutzmann opens a new period for the OPMC. The orchestra thus enters a transition prepared over several years, with a leadership entrusted to a musician familiar with the Monegasque scene and the musicians that compose it.
