Karina Canellakis extends LPO contract

The London Philharmonic Orchestra (LPO) has announced that Karina Canellakis has extended her contract as principal guest conductor for a further three years.

Canellakis will next perform with the LPO on 21 February with a programme of Mussorgsky, Shostakovich and Brahms. She is also set to tour with the LPO to Greece, Austria and Germany this week, which will culminate in a performance at the Musikverein Vienna as part of her season-long residency there.

Karina Canellakis said: ‘I have had such a wonderful time conducting the London Philharmonic Orchestra during the past three years and am thrilled to be working with them for a further three.  It’s the response to the in-the-moment spontaneity that is so incredible with this Orchestra and which makes it an electrifying experience both for me and the audience. I can’t wait to continue making music together!’

Having taken up the post of principal guest conductor in September 2021 Canellakis worked with the orchestra on projects including the UK premiere of LPO composer-in-residence Tania León’s Horizons in October 2023 and the LPO Junior Artists programme, offering orchestral experience to emerging musicians.

Canellakis was the first woman to conduct the First Night of the BBC Proms in 2019, and was also the first woman to ever conduct the Nobel Prize Concert in 2018. She will continue to balance her role with the LPO with her position as chief conductor of the Netherlands Radio Philharmonic Orchestra.