The Grammy Award-winning Minnesota Orchestra, now in its second century, ranks among America’s top symphonic ensembles, with a distinguished history of acclaimed performances in its home state and around the world; award-winning recordings, broadcasts and educational engagement programs; and a commitment to intentionally build concert programs to feature more works by composers of color, exploring music both contemporary and historic. In September 2024, Danish conductor Thomas Søndergård began his second season as music director.

Danish conductor Thomas Søndergård, who in September 2024 began his second season as music director of the Minnesota Orchestra, is a highly regarded conductor in both the orchestral and opera spheres. He has earned a reputation for incisive interpretations of works by composers from his native Denmark, a great versatility in a broad range of standard and modern repertoire, and a collaborative approach with the musicians he leads. His 2024-25 season in Minnesota began with two weeks of season opening concerts featuring Yunchan Lim and Leila Josefowicz. Other season highlights include performances of Mozart’s Requiem and Puccini’s Turandot, a January festival of music from Nordic countries and the return of the Minnesota Orchestra Composer Institute.

Hailed as “a miracle of freshness and brightness,” American-Guatemalan soprano Andrea Carroll is in huge demand with opera houses across the U.S. and Europe. Between 2015 and 2020 she spent five seasons on the ensemble at the Wiener Staatsoper, performing 15 leading roles for the company.

Taylor Raven is a “vocal sensation” (Washington Classical Review) and quickly establishing herself in opera, concert and recital. In the 2024-25 season, she debuts with the Metropolitan Opera in the company premiere of Adams’ Antony and Cleopatra (Charmian) and with Pacific Opera Victoria for La clemenza di Tito (Sesto). On the concert stage she debuts with the Minnesota Orchestra for Mozart’s Requiem, Duisburger Philharmoniker for Julia Perry’s Stabat Mater, the United States Naval Academy for Messiah, Buffalo Philharmonic for Sanctuary Road and Quad City Symphony Orchestra for Giddens’ Omar’s Journey (Fatima).

American tenor Evan LeRoy Johnson began the 2024-25 season with a hometown debut at Minnesota Opera in Romeo and Juliet (Romeo) followed by returns to San Francisco Opera for La Bohème (Rodolfo), National Theatre in Prague for Medea (Giasone) and a debut with the Canadian Opera Company in Eugene Onegin (Lenski). Future seasons include debuts with the Metropolitan Opera and Lyric Opera of Chicago along with a return to the National Theatre in Prague.

Hailed as an artist “alight with the spirit of the music” (Boston Globe), three-time Grammy-winning bass-baritone Dashon Burton has established a vibrant career appearing regularly throughout the U.S. and Europe. His 2024-25 season begins with performances of Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 with the Los Angeles Philharmonic at the Hollywood Bowl led by Gustavo Dudamel. He debuted with the Minnesota Orchestra in November 2019 performances of Vaughan Williams’ Dona Nobis Pacem and returns in November 2024 as soloist in the Mozart Requiem under the direction of Thomas Søndergård.

The Minnesota Chorale has served as the Minnesota Orchestra’s principal chorus since 2004 and is now in its 29th season under the leadership of Kathy Saltzman Romey. Founded in 1972, the Chorale is Minnesota’s preeminent symphonic chorus, with a roster of over 200 singers. Best known for its work with the two major orchestras of the Twin Cities, the ensemble is equally dedicated to programs that build and enrich community. A seasoned artistic partner, the Chorale continues to explore new artistic directions and collaborative opportunities, while earning the highest critical acclaim for its work on the concert stage. In 2018, members of the Chorale traveled to South Africa to perform alongside the Minnesota Orchestra in its historic concerts in Soweto and Johannesburg.