The London Symphony Orchestra’s podium will see a fresh face next season. Following a high-stakes finale at LSO St Luke’s on April 29, 2026, 28-year-old Italian conductor Matteo Dal Maso emerged as the winner of the 18th Donatella Flick LSO Conducting Competition. Beyond the £15,000 prize, the victory secures him a critical entry-level position in the industry: a one-year appointment as Assistant Conductor of the LSO.
Maturity under pressure
In the final round, Dal Maso stood his ground against fellow finalists Félix Benati and Leonhard Kreutzmann, leading the LSO through a demanding program of Verdi, Brahms, and Rimsky-Korsakov. While technical precision is a baseline requirement at this level, the jury—chaired by Sir Antonio Pappano and featuring figures like Sir James MacMillan—highlighted Dal Maso’s “musicality and rapport with the musicians.” For a young conductor, the challenge is not just the score, but the ability to earn the trust of a world-class ensemble in a matter of minutes.
The television lens and royal protocol
This year’s competition carried an unusual degree of public scrutiny due to the filming of Making a Maestro, a Sky Arts documentary series that tracked the selection process. The presence of cameras during rehearsals, coupled with a visit from His Majesty King Charles III to encourage the finalists, added an extra layer of pressure to an already rigorous competition. Dal Maso navigated this visibility with composure, turning a professional trial into a cultural event that will culminate in the broadcast of his winning performance on May 6.
Bridging the professional gap
The role of LSO Assistant Conductor is designed as a bridge rather than a destination. Dal Maso joins the orchestra not as a successor to the greats, but as a key member of the artistic support staff. His duties will involve the “invisible” work of conducting: preparing scores, assisting Principal and guest conductors, and leading the outreach initiatives of the LSO Discovery program. It is a formula that has historically launched the careers of major names like Elim Chan and David Afkham, providing a launchpad within the safety of a structured residency.
From the North to the Barbican
Dal Maso’s journey to the LSO has been paved by a rigorous education within the UK’s conservatory system. An Italian native, he moved to Manchester to study at the Royal Northern College of Music, where he earned a Master’s degree in Conducting with Distinction. His time in the North of England proved foundational; before this London win, he had already cut his teeth as an assistant with the BBC Philharmonic and the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic. With his background further bolstered by prizes in Athens and Liege, and a recent debut at the Sydney Opera House, Dal Maso now has the opportunity to refine his craft under the mentorship of Pappano at the very center of European symphonic life.
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