Tokyo Symphony Orchestra has announced that conductor Lorenzo Viotti will become the Orchestra’s next Music Director, beginning in the 2026-27 season.

The initial agreement will be for three years.

In a statement Viotti said, “The Tokyo Symphony was my first professional orchestra in my career. With no experience in an orchestra of this level, I remember being wonderfully welcomed by its musicians. Their loyalty, love, and passion for this art are things that have not changed over the years. Classical music in Japan is a significant cultural pillar, and I am deeply touched and honored to contribute to its continuity. I look forward to starting this musical day and sharing my passion for this art with the Japanese audience and the wonderful musicians of the Tokyo Symphony Orchestra.”

Viotti’s relationship with the Tokyo Symphony Orchestra began in 2014 and he has collaborated a total of five times, in 2016, 2019 (twice) and 2023.

Viotti is currently the Chief Conductor of the Dutch National Opera and the Netherlands Philharmonic Orchestra. He has performed with the Berlin Philharmonic, Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, Staatskapelle Dresden, and Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra. He has also conducted at the Teatro alla Scala and Zurich Opera.