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 begins his second season as music director.

Danish conductor Thomas Søndergård, who in September 2024 begins 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 begins 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).

Jack Swanson, a native of Stillwater, Minnesota, is quickly becoming one of the most sought-after young tenors in the opera world. His distinctive high lyric voice is known for singing the acrobatic arias of Rossini and the legato melodies of Donizetti.

Hailed as an artist “alight with the spirit of the music” (Boston Globe), Dashon Burton has established a vibrant career appearing regularly throughout the US and Europe. Highlights of his 2023-24 season include multiple appearances with Michael Tilson Thomas, including a performance of Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 with the San Francisco Symphony; Copland’s Old American Songs with the New World Symphony; and selections from Tilson Thomas’s own Meditations on Rilke with the San Diego Symphony.  Burton also performs Bach’s Christmas Oratorio with the Washington Bach Consort, sings Handel’s Messiah with the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra and the Philadelphia Orchestra, and performs the title role in Sweeney Todd at Vanderbilt University.  With the Cleveland Orchestra, Burton participates in a semi-staged version of Mozart’s The Magic Flute, and he joins the Milwaukee Symphony and Ken-David Masur for three subscription weeks as their artist in residence.

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.