The Sir Georg Solti Conducting Award has named François López-Ferrer the 2024 recipient.

López-Ferrer is the Resident Conductor of the Académie of the Opéra de Paris and formerly served as the Associate Conductor of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra and May Festival.

In a statement, the Solti Foundation U.S. Board Chair Penny Van Horn said, “The Solti Foundation U.S. is thrilled to announce that François López-Ferreris the 15th recipient of The Sir Georg Solti Conducting Award. In a very competitive field of applicants, François stood out amongst this year’s highly qualified applicants. A shining example of hard work, talent and commitment to the field of symphonic and operatic music, I am pleased, on behalf of the Foundation, to congratulate François.”

The award provides career guidance, industry connections, and $30,000 for grant recipients to further hone their skills. Additionally, the award winners will get the opportunity to meet many experts and mentors within the industry.

In a statement, López-Ferrer said, “I am overwhelmed with gratitude for the great honor of receiving the Sir Georg Solti Conducting Award. Over the course of the last three years, the unwavering support of the Solti Foundation U.S. has played a pivotal role in shaping my artistic journey, facilitated the refinement of my craft, and enabled me to evolve as an artist. This award stands as a testament to Maestro Solti’s enduring legacy of musical excellence, serving as a powerful reminder of the heights of achievement to which we can aspire as the next generation of musical leaders.

The Spanish American conductor joins a list of previous winners that include Keitaro Harada, Roderick Cox, Christopher Allen, Karina Canellakis, Cristian Macelaru, and Anthony Barrese, among others. The Sir Georg Solti Fellow, as the grant is also known, is awarded annually to a single, promising American conductor 36 years of age or younger.