The conductor succeeds Daniele Callegari, who held this position since September 2021 and will now focus on other projects, for the 2023-2024 and 2024-2025 seasons.
Upon announcing Lionel Bringuier’s new role, Bertrand Rossi, General Director of the Opéra Nice Côte d’Azur, and Christian Estrosi couldn’t hide their joy. “After having conducted the best orchestras around the world and collaborated with internationally renowned soloists, it is a source of pride to have a globally recognized virtuoso in the position of Principal Conductor of the Nice Philharmonic Orchestra. In the company of our excellent musicians, it promises to deliver beautiful and emotionally rich performances,” enthused the mayor of Nice.
And rightly so, as Lionel Bringuier is undoubtedly one of the most experienced French conductors of his generation. He has conducted the best orchestras worldwide, both on stage for concerts and during recordings for various major labels. The 2019-2020 season marked his return to Nice, his hometown, as an associate artist with the Opéra de Nice because he wished to return to his first love: the Nice Philharmonic Orchestra.
A New Beginning
Throughout his career, Lionel Bringuier has undertaken numerous international tours and conducted many renowned artists, such as pianists Yuja Wang and Hélène Grimaud, as well as the legendary violinist Anne-Sophie Mutter. His discography includes, among others, two compilations of Ravel’s music for the Deutsche Grammophon label.
But you see, that’s not all. Lionel Bringuier was named Chevalier of the National Order of Merit by the French government. He received the Gold Medal unanimously with high commendation from the jury at the Prince Rainier III Academy in Monaco, as well as the Crystal Eagle and the Gold Medal of the City of Nice. Under his direction, the Philharmonic Orchestra has recently been invited to prestigious festivals such as the Aix-en-Provence Easter Festival and the Chorégies d’Orange.
This season, at the Opéra de Nice, we can listen to Lionel Bringuier and the Philharmonic Orchestra alongside pianist Alexandre Tharaud, or in the spring with his long-time collaborator, violinist Renaud Capuçon.
