(Credit: Tam Photography)

Canadian conductor Simon Rivard has been named Music Director of the Newfoundland Symphony Orchestra, effective June 1, 2025.

Rivard will succeed Marc David.

In a statement, Simon Rivard, Music Director of the Newfoundland Symphony Orchestra, said, “It is an honour to have been chosen by my colleagues of the Newfoundland Symphony Orchestra to lead them into this exciting new chapter of their artistic life. I look forward to continuing to build on the tremendous
achievements of my predecessor, Maestro Marc David. In the coming years, we will pull all the stops to develop the unique musical voice of the NSO and share this voice with as many members of our community, across all ages and backgrounds.”

Hugh Donnan, CEO of the Newfoundland Symphony Orchestra, added, “We are so delighted with the outcome of this search, and the level of engagement we have seen with our musicians and our community over the past 18-months. We feel that Simon will bring exceptional artistic leadership to the
NSO, and continue the development and professionalization of the orchestra as we strive to take our place among the leading orchestras in Canada.”

Rivard studied violin performance and orchestral conducting at the Conservatoire de musique de Montréal and McGill University. He is the Music Director of the Edmonton Opera, and he has conducted such organizations as Orchestre symphonique de Montréal, Opéra de Montréal, Orchestre Métropolitain, Orchestre symphonique de Québec, the Verbier Festival Chamber Orchestra (Switzerland), and the Göteborgs Symfoniker (Sweden).