Our Conductors
The LSO works with a family of world-renowned conductors and artists, each bringing their own personality and passions to their performances with the LSO.
Chief Conductor Designate
Sir Antonio Pappano
Sir Antonio Pappano
Chief Conductor Designate (from September 2023)
Sir Antonio Pappano will take up the role of Chief Conductor of the LSO in September 2024, after becoming Chief Conductor Designate in September 2023. He first collaborated with the Orchestra in 1996 at Abbey Road Studios for a recording of Puccini’s opera La rondine. ‘I’ll never forget the first down beat, when the Orchestra just exploded with activity and panache and derring-do,’ recalls Pappano. ‘It felt like I’d gotten into a Ferrari and pushed the gas pedal down!’
Music Director
Sir Simon Rattle OM CBE
Sir Simon Rattle OM CBE
Music Director
Simon Rattle first appeared with the LSO in October 1977, at the age of 22, and became Music Director of the LSO in September 2017. Highlights with the Orchestra over the years have included the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games, conducting the Orchestra in London’s Trafalgar Square in the annual BMW Classics concert, appearances at the BBC Proms and Edinburgh International Festivals, tours throughout Europe, Asia and Latin America, and numerous concerts at the Barbican Centre, where the LSO is Resident Orchestra.
Principal Guest Conductor
Gianandrea Noseda
Gianandrea Noseda
Principal Guest Conductor
Gianandrea Noseda made his debut appearance with the LSO in 2006, and became Principal Guest Conductor of the LSO in the 2016/17 season. His collaborations with the Orchestra have included performances of Verdi’s Rigoletto at the Barbican and Aix-en-Provence Festival, in-depth explorations of the music of Shostakovich, Tchaikovsky and Prokofiev, and a memorable, critically acclaimed interpretation of Britten’s War Requiem in 2011.
Principal Guest Conductor
François-Xavier Roth
François-Xavier Roth
Principal Guest Conductor
François-Xavier Roth became Principal Guest Conductor of the LSO in September 2017, and has had a close relationship with the LSO throughout his career, since winning the Donatella Flick LSO Conducting Competition in 2000. He is a champion of new music, and has been a key figure in the LSO’s Panufnik Composers Scheme for over ten years, conducting the annual Composers Workshops at LSO St Luke’s and LSO Futures concerts at the Barbican.
Conductor Laureate
Michael Tilson Thomas
Michael Tilson Thomas
Conductor Laureate
A protégé of Leonard Bernstein, Michael Tilson Thomas came to LSO Orchestra as Principal Conductor in 1987, bringing with him his brilliantly devised thematic concert series and his Discovery concert lectures. He subsequently became Principal Guest Conductor, and after more than 40 years with the LSO, became Conductor Laureate from the 2016/17 season. He conducts the Orchestra every season.
Associate Artist
Barbara Hannigan
Barbara Hannigan
Associate Artist
Barbara Hannigan became one of the LSO’s first two Associate Artists in February 2022, for a period of three years. Associate Artists are musicians with distinct influences, qualities and styles that bring new dimensions to the LSO’s programmes, and Barbara Hannigan – supremely gifted as both a singer and conductor – has introduced the LSO’s audiences to gripping interpretations of music by Hans Abrahamsen, Ligeti and Claude Vivier, and a dramatic multimedia performance of Poulenc’s La voix humaine.
Associate Artist
André J Thomas
André J Thomas
Associate Artist
André J Thomas was appointed LSO Associate Artist for three years in May 2022. Dr Thomas is a leading specialist in Afro-American, choral and Gospel music, and during his tenure he will expand the canvas of musical styles that the LSO explores – with concerts so far including collaborations with singers from the London community and Gospel stars, and symphonic music by Carlos Simon, Wynton Marsalis and Joel Thompson. In Dr Thomas’ own words, ‘Gospel music does not apologise. It comes straight out, fiery and quick. It’s like lighting a firecracker – you start with a sizzle and that’s it.’
Assistant Conductor
Nicolò Umberto Foron
Nicolò Umberto Foron
Assistant Conductor
Nicolò Umberto Foron was named the winner of the 17th Donatella Flick LSO Conducting Competition in March 2023, becoming Assistant Conductor of the LSO for a year.