Suganandarajah was appointed through a multi-stage selection process, which drew a total of 129 applicants to the position.

In a statement, Freiburg Mayor of Culture Roland Meder said, “We are pleased that we were able to win Leslie Suganandarajah as the new General Music Director for the Freiburg Theater. Suganandarajah convinced the selection committee as an artist personality with a precise technique and precise way of working with the Philharmonic Orchestra, the ensemble and the choir. We are convinced that in the succession of André de Ridder, he will continue the fruitful and creative dialogue with the most diverse actors of the music city of Freiburg.”

Suganandarajah has served as conductor for the Dresden Philharmonie, the Theater Koblenz, the Landestheater Linz, and the Salzburg Landestheater, and has appeared as a guest conductor with ensembles such as the Bruckner Orchestra Linz, the MDR Symphony Orchestra, the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, and the BBC Symphony Orchestra, among others.