Charles Dutoit

Having performed with all the major orchestras on most stages of the five continents, Charles Dutoit has been recently awarded one of classical music’s highest honours, the Royal Philharmonic Society Gold Medal. Presently Artistic Director and Principal Conductor of the London Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, the 81-year-old maestro recently celebrated his 30-year artistic collaboration with the Philadelphia Orchestra, who in turn, bestowed upon him the title of Conductor Laureate. For 25 years (1977-2002) he was Artistic Director of the Montreal Symphony Orchestra, and from 1991 to 2001 was Music Director of the Orchestre National de France. In 1996 he was appointed Principal Conductor and subsequently Music Director of the NHK Symphony Orchestra (Tokyo). He is today Music Director Emeritus of this orchestra.

He has been awarded as an Honorary Citizen of the City of Philadelphia, Grand Officier de l'Ordre national du Québec, Commandeur de l'Ordre des Arts et des Lettres by the government of France, and Honorary Officer of the Order of Canada. In 2007 he received the Gold Medal of the city of Lausanne, his birthplace, and in 2014 was given the Lifetime Achievement Award from the International Classical Music Awards.

Performances this season include the London Proms, Lucerne Festival, Bucharest Festival, Montreux Festival and a US tour with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. He will also guest conduct the Dresden Philharmonic, St Petersburg Philharmonic, Boston Symphony, Chicago Symphony, Cleveland Symphony, New York Philharmonic, Los Angeles Philharmonic, San Francisco Symphony and the Tonhalle Orchester Zürich.