International Star Conductor André De Ridder Appointed New Zealand Symphony Orchestra Music Director

Scoop

23-06-2025

Celebrated New Zealand Conductor Gemma New to be Artistic Partner in 2027 after five seasons as Artistic Advisor and Principal Conductor
The New Zealand Symphony Orchestra has appointed André de Ridder — one of the world's most sought-after and versatile conductors — as its next Music Director for a tenure to start in 2027. Concurrently, celebrated New Zealand-born conductor Gemma New, the orchestra's Artistic Advisor and Principal Conductor since 2022, will continue her association with the NZSO in the new role of Artistic Partner.
Maestro de Ridder, who made his NZSO debut with an acclaimed three-concert festival in 2023 will become the NZSO's first Music Director since Edo de Waart finished in 2019. His appointment comes amid continued international demand for his impressive stylistic versatility, from Baroque to contemporary music. The German-born conductor was recently designated Music Director of the prestigious English National Opera, a title he will also assume in 2027. He is currently Music Director of Germany's renowned Theatre and Philharmonisches Orchester Freiburg.
Maestro de Ridder says that from the very first rehearsal stepping on the NZSO's podium in 2023 he felt energised.
'The orchestra's brilliance and warm, receptive musicality became immediately apparent to me. The shared joy of music making grew from concert to concert and I was very taken by the friendly and lively reception from the New Zealand audience.
'I am very excited and feel truly honoured to have been chosen to become this orchestra's next Music Director and to learn about and contribute to New Zealand's unique musical and cultural scenery.
'With this fantastic group of musicians and organisation I believe we can, and need to, continue to prove how essential, life affirming and transcending live orchestral music is and what an orchestra can be today. I very much look forward to my upcoming visit and exciting programmes in Wellington and Auckland, and to plan for the future!'
Maestra New will transition to her new role as Artistic Partner in 2027. She takes on this new title as an avenue to carry on her exceptional collaboration with the orchestra.
NZSO Board Chair Carmel Walsh says André de Ridder as the NZSO's next Music Director is a coup not only for the orchestra but for the nation.
'Like many New Zealanders who were introduced to André when he first conducted the NZSO in 2023, I was blown away by his passion, professionalism and enthusiasm on and off stage,' says Walsh.
'As well as being an extraordinarily talented conductor, he was able to quickly connect with the orchestra and New Zealand audiences.
'There is so much he will bring to the NZSO, and it will be felt by both our skilled and experienced players and by every New Zealander who sees the NZSO perform.'
The NZSO is also delighted that Maestra New will continue a close association with the orchestra from 2027, says Walsh.
'As an NZSO Board member when Gemma was appointed Artistic Advisor and Principal Conductor four years ago, I've seen her play an integral role in the NZSO's artistic leadership. The orchestra is extraordinarily grateful for what Gemma has achieved, not to mention she has an enormous following with our audiences. We're delighted that relationship will continue with her as our Artistic Partner.'
NZSO Chief Executive Marc Feldman says Maestra New has made an invaluable contribution to the orchestra and he looks forward to every opportunity to work with her.
'At the same time, it's very exciting to be welcoming André de Ridder, as Musical Director for our 2027 Season. He brings a deep commitment to our orchestra and great energy to the podium, as a well as a reputation for innovative cutting-edge concert programming. André, together with the NZSO artistic team, means we will be sure to delight and surprise audiences throughout Aotearoa New Zealand.'
The Wall Street Journal has hailed Maestro de Ridder as 'One of the world's most daring conductors,' while New Zealand critics have praised his concerts with the NZSO as 'wonderfully focussed… eminently tasteful and sprightly' (The Post) and 'positively relishing the monumental' (New Zealand Herald).
Maestro de Ridder's projects and collaborations take him to such orchestras as the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra, BBC Symphony Orchestra, Deutsches Symphony Orchester Berlin, Orchestre de Paris and The Netherlands' Concertgebouworkest.
He is also highly regarded in contemporary and popular music, including collaborations with bands Gorillaz and The National, and Radiohead member Jonny Greenwood.
Maestro de Ridder returns to New Zealand in August to conduct another three-concert festival with the NZSO in Wellington and Auckland. The festival opens with Enchanted (Wellington 8 Aug, Auckland 15 Aug), featuring the music of Stravinsky, Dukas and Mussorgsky. Ascension (Wellington 9 Aug, Auckland 16 Aug) includes Jerome Kavanagh Poutama performing on tāonga puoro, while the family concert Creepy-Crawly Carnival (Wellington 10 Aug, Auckland 17 Aug) will be presented by Oscar-winner Bret McKenzie.
Since taking on her titled position with the NZSO in 2022, Maestra New has proved an audience favourite, leading sold-out performances and showcasing big-boned repertoire epitomized by Holst's The Planets, as performed by the orchestra in 2024, and Mahler's Symphony No. 3, featured in 2023.
The NZ Herald declared of that performance that 'New was in her element. Effortlessly navigating passages of chorale-like serenity along with mighty orchestral climaxes, she gave us the very emotional assurance that Mahler had originally intended.' The orchestra's musicianship under Maestra New's direction has been lauded for 'a featherlight touch and astonishing clarity of execution' (New Zealand Post), while New Zealand Arts Review praised her 'brilliant direction' of Mozart's Symphony No. 41, writing that 'New [saw] possibilities in the music that even Mozart may not have been aware of.'
About André de Ridder
André de Ridder is the Generalmusikdirektor (GMD) of the Theater Freiburg and newly announced as the designated Music Director of English National Opera, a title he will assume from September 2027. He is in demand internationally for his impressive stylistic versatility, from Baroque to contemporary music. His projects and collaborations take him to orchestras such as the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra, BBC Symphony Orchestra, Deutsches Symphony Orchester Berlin, Orchestre de Paris and Concertgebouworkest.
Over the course of the 2024/25 season, De Ridder conducts new productions of Jenufa, Tosca and Alcina at the Theater Freiburg. Other highlights of the season in Freiburg have included concerts with soloists Ilya Gingolts and Kit Armstrong and symphonic works such as Tchaikovsky's Hamlet and Oliver Messiaen's Éclairs sur l'Au-Delà.
De Ridder also makes guest appearances in 24/25 with such orchestras as the Tonhalle Zurich, Brussels Philharmonic, hr Sinfonieorchester Frankfurt, as well as Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France, Philharmonia Orchestra, National Symphony Orchestra Dublin, Netherlands Radio Philharmonic and Concertgebouworkest. He continues his curatorship and performances of 'Unclassified Live' at London's Southbank Centre, a series of genre-defying performances featuring the BBC Concert Orchestra.
About Gemma New
Gemma New (ONZM) is Artistic Advisor and Principal Conductor of the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, where she will continue in the new role of Artistic Partner in 2027. She is the recipient of the prestigious 2021 Sir Georg Solti Conducting Award and was appointed an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2024. In demand with leading orchestras worldwide, she has conducted the London Philharmonic Orchestra, Orchestre National de France, New York Philharmonic, Los Angeles Philharmonic, and dozens of other world-class ensembles.
New previously served as Music Director of the Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra, Principal Guest Conductor of the Dallas Symphony Orchestra, Resident Conductor of the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra and Associate Conductor of the New Jersey Symphony. A former Dudamel Conducting Fellow with the Los Angeles Philharmonic and Conducting Fellow at Tanglewood, Maestra New was awarded Solti Foundation U.S. Career Assistance Awards in 2017, 2019 and 2020, before receiving the 2021 Sir Georg Solti Conducting Award.