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.

This season, renowned American mezzo Michelle DeYoung returns to the Metropolitan Opera as Herodias in the new production of Salome and appears at Carnegie Hall in a performance of Mahler’s Das Lied von der Erde with Yannick Nézet-Séguin and the Met Orchestra Chamber Ensemble. She also appears in concert with the Louisville Symphony Orchestra, Dallas Symphony Orchestra and Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra.

John Lundgren is a dramatic baritone with an expressive stage appearance. He combines his powerful voice with an exquisite, theatrical understanding of the dramatic operatic repertoire. Amongst his signature roles are notorious Wagner roles such as Der fliegende Holländer, Wotan and Telramund, as well as some of the evil characters of the operatic literature such as Scarpia in Tosca, Pizarro in Fidelio and the title role in Duke Bluebeard’s Castle.