NEWS BRIEF: ‘Tremendous artist’ Nathalie Stutzmann takes over ASO leadership

This week Nathalie Stutzmann officially takes the podium in front of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra as its music director, the only woman to hold that title out of all the major ensembles in the United States. In a New York Times interview, Jennifer Barlament, the ASO’s executive director, calls Stutzmann “a really tremendous artist,” who “brings a whole different set of voices, artistic tastes, personal experiences, musical experiences to the institution.” She adds, “To have someone like her come to work with us, and partner with our musicians, is going to be transformative.”

Stutzmann, 57, was born in Paris, the child of two opera singers. Her rise to the top of her profession, as both conductor and contralto, has been meteoric. In 2017, she became the principal guest conductor of the RTE National Symphony Orchestra in Dublin, and in 2021, she took on a similar role with the Philadelphia Orchestra. Stutzmann was the chief conductor of the Kristiansand Symphony Orchestra in Norway as well. Posting on Twitter, she wrote, “Biggest joy ever to be finally back in Atlanta! I'm deeply touched by all the kind surprises I’m getting from my dear (ASO) team. Thank you all from the bottom of my heart.” Details: nytimes.com