Internationally acclaimed conductor will serve as Music Director Designate
in the 2026–27 season and become Virginia G. Piper Music Director in 2027–28
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PHOENIX (March 10, 2026) – In a defining moment for one of Arizona’s leading cultural institutions, The Phoenix Symphony today announced the appointment of internationally acclaimed conductor Paolo Bortolameolli as the Symphony’s next Virginia G. Piper Music Director. Bortolameolli will become the 12th Music Director in the orchestra’s nearly 80-year history, ushering in a bold new chapter for the Symphony and the community it serves.
The appointment was unanimously approved by the Symphony’s Board of Directors following a three-year international search conducted in close partnership with the orchestra’s musicians. Bortolameolli will serve as Music Director Designate during the 2026–27 season and become the Virginia G. Piper Music Director beginning with the 2027–28 season.
During his Designate season, Bortolameolli will lead four programs and open the Symphony’s 2026–27 season, offering audiences an early glimpse into the artistic vision that will shape the orchestra’s next era.
“Conducting an orchestra is a collaborative pursuit of beauty. It is a profound honor to be appointed the next Virginia G. Piper Music Director of The Phoenix Symphony,” said Paolo Bortolameolli. “From my first experiences with the orchestra, I felt a remarkable sense of openness, energy, collaboration, and artistic commitment among the musicians and throughout the organization. I look forward to building a meaningful and lasting relationship with the orchestra and the Arizona community” he said, “and to crafting performances that honor the great traditions of our art form while boldly exploring new voices and new possibilities.”
Selecting a Music Director is among the most consequential decisions in the life of an orchestra, shaping artistic direction, institutional culture, and the Symphony’s relationship with its community for years to come. At the conclusion of the search grounded in artistic excellence, the choice of Bortolameolli signals both continuity of excellence and a bold vision for the future.
“Paolo Bortolameolli is a conductor of remarkable musical insight and artistic leadership,” said Peter Kjome, President and CEO of The Phoenix Symphony. “From his earliest appearances with our orchestra, he established an immediate and inspiring connection with our musicians and audiences. Throughout the search process it became increasingly clear that his artistic vision, collaborative spirit, and commitment to the orchestra’s role in the cultural life of our community make him the ideal artistic leader for The Phoenix Symphony at this moment in our history. We look forward to the partnership ahead and to the energy he will bring to the Symphony and our community.”
Morris “Mo” Stein, Board Chair of The Phoenix Symphony and chair of the Music Director Search Committee, spoke about the dedication and thoughtful work of musicians and board leadership
throughout the search process. “Paolo impressed everyone involved with his musical depth, clarity of vision, and the genuine connection he builds with orchestras and communities. We are confident he will inspire our musicians, deepen our connection with audiences across the Valley, and elevate The Phoenix Symphony’s artistic profile nationally and internationally.”
“During the search process we had the opportunity to work closely with Paolo, both in rehearsal and in performance,” said Christopher McKay, violist of The Phoenix Symphony and a member of the Music Director Search Committee. “It quickly became clear that he brings a remarkable combination of musical insight, precision, and infectious energy. From the podium he invites collaboration while setting the highest artistic standards. The musicians of The Phoenix Symphony are excited to welcome him as our next Music Director and to begin building this artistic partnership together.”
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About Paolo Bortolameolli
Paolo Bortolameolli firmly believes that music is a transformative force. Recognized as one of the leading conductors in Latin America, he is distinguished by his international career and his commitment to cultural outreach, expanding access to classical music, and fostering new generations of musicians. He is Music Director Designate of the Phoenix Symphony, Music Director of the Ópera Nacional de Chile and the Filarmónica de Santiago, and Artistic Partner to Orquesta Filarmónica de Medellín.
Recent and upcoming debuts include Orquesta Sinfónica de Castilla y León (OSCyL), Bamberger Symphoniker, Warsaw Philharmonic, Brussels Philharmonic, Dresdner Philharmoniker, Minnesota Orchestra, St. Louis Symphony, Philadelphia Orchestra, Houston Symphony, Baltimore Symphony, Omaha Symphony, and Rochester Philharmonic. He has ongoing relationships with ensembles such as Munich Philharmonic, Polish National Radio Symphony Orchestra, Helsinki Philharmonic, Orchestra della Toscana, Orquesta Sinfónica Simon Bolivar, and Orquesta Filarmónica de Buenos Aires.
Ahead of beginning his tenure as Music Director of the Ópera Nacional de Chile and the Filarmónica de Santiago in March 2026, Bortolameolli has developed his relationship through productions of Richard Strauss’s Salomé, Puccini’s Madama Butterfly, and Rossini’s Il viaggio a Reims. His first season’s highlights include productions of Puccini’s La Bohème, Prokofiev’s Romeo and Juliet (ballet), and Strauss’s Elektra, as well as symphonic programs with guest artists Pierre-Laurent Aimard and Jean Yves Thibault.
In building his international report among operatic institutions, his 2024 return to Gran Teatre del Liceu in Barcelona for Puccini’s Madama Butterfly with Sonya Yoncheva, Ailyn Perez, and Saioa Hernandez in the title role earned high praise from El País and Scherzo for its “excellent musical direction” and “passion, energy, and clear ideas.” Recent engagements Tosca at the Opéra de Paris, Golijov’s Ainadamar at Detroit Opera, Mozart’s Die Zauberflote at Gran Teatre del Liceu, and Verdi’s La Traviata at Macerata Opera Festival.
He holds an ongoing relationship with the Los Angeles Philharmonic since his Fellowship and Associate Conductor titles (ending in 2023), where he was mentored closely by Music & Artistic Director Gustavo Dudamel. Among his many subscription and special projects was the landmark production of Meredith Monk’s inventive opera ATLAS and a commitment to new music, championing works of Miguel Farías (2022 commission of Estallido), Gabriela Ortiz, and Jorge Peña Hen. Dedicated to expanding the lives of young people through music, his 2022 appointment as Principal Conductor of the National Youth Symphony Orchestra (OSNJ)—an ensemble he has conducted since 2002 and the oldest in the Foundation for Youth and Children’s Orchestras of Chile (FOJI)—allowed him to continue what he considers his personal mission: sharing his passion for the performing arts and introducing large scale projects such as Mahler’s Symphony No. 8, marking the Chilean premiere of this
monumental work.
A seven-time recipient of the Arts Critics Association Awards for Symphonic and Opera Director of the Year, he was also named one of Forbes’ “50 Most Creative Chileans” in 2024 and 2026. In 2025, he became the first classical musician to serve on the jury of the Viña del Mar International Song Festival—the largest Latin music festival in the world—highlighting the connection between popular and classical music and the power of music to unite people.
In 2018, he was a guest speaker at a TED Talk in New York, and in 2020 he released his first book, RUBATO: Procesos musicales y una playlist personal. Born in Viña del Mar, Chile, Bortolameolli holds a Master of Music in Orchestral Conducting from the Yale School of Music (2013), a Graduate Performance Diploma from the Peabody Institute of Johns Hopkins University (2015), where he studied with Gustav Meier and Markand Thakar, and a Conducting Diploma from the Universidad de Chile (2011).
About The Phoenix Symphony
The Phoenix Symphony is one of Arizona’s most important cultural assets. In addition to performing
traditional and modern repertoire in Symphony Hall and around the Valley, its world-class musicians are
deeply engaged in the community thanks to generous foundation, corporate, and individual support. The
Symphony is strengthened by collaborating with renowned guest conductors and artists. The core
mission of The Phoenix Symphony is to provide extraordinary musical experiences that inspire and
advance our community, enriching the lives of people of all ages and backgrounds.
Annually, orchestra members reach more than 100,000 students through education and partnerships and
create opportunities for deeper connection for tens of thousands of adults experiencing homelessness, in
Alzheimer’s care facilities, in hospitals, and in hospice.
To learn more, visit phoenixsymphony.org
