JANUARY 21, 2026
Meredith Monk awarded Großer Kunstpreis Berlin 2026
The Akademie der Künste has announced that Meredith Monk will receive the Großer Kunstpreis Berlin 2026, awarded by the Kunstpreis Berlin – Jubiläumsstiftung 1848/1948. The prize recognises Monk’s more than six decades of artistic activity across music, performance, and interdisciplinary practice.
The award ceremony will take place on 18 March 2026, alongside the presentation of additional Kunstpreise Berlin in six artistic categories, including music, visual arts, architecture, literature, performing arts, and film and media art.
Founded in 1696, the Akademie der Künste is one of Europe’s oldest cultural institutions. Based in Berlin, it brings together leading figures from across the arts and plays a central role in promoting artistic exchange, preserving cultural heritage, and supporting contemporary artistic practice in Germany.
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JANUARY 21
Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France: Andrew Manze replaces John Eliot Gardiner at Auditorium de Radio France
The Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France has announced that John Eliot Gardiner will be unable to conduct the concert scheduled for 22 January 2026 at the Auditorium de Radio France, due to health reasons.
Andrew Manze will step in at short notice. The programme remains unchanged and includes works by Purcell and Britten, with soprano Anna Prohaska appearing as soloist.
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JANUARY 20,2026
Montreal Symphony Orchestra: Hankyeol Yoon replaces Robin Ticciati for January concerts
The Montreal Symphony Orchestra has announced that Robin Ticciati will be unable to conduct the concerts scheduled for 21 and 22 January, due to circumstances beyond the orchestra’s control.
On the recommendation of Music Director Rafael Payare, South Korean conductor Hankyeol Yoon, winner of the Herbert von Karajan Award in 2023, will step in.
The programme has been slightly revised: Tchaikovsky’s Romeo and Juliet will replace Duke Ellington’s Harlem, while the rest of the programme remains unchanged.
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JANUARY 19. 2026
Howard Arman appointed artistic director of Munich Bach Choir and Munich Bach Orchestra
The Munich Bach Choir and Munich Bach Orchestra have announced the appointment of Howard Arman as their new Artistic Director, effective from the 2026–27 season.
Arman is an internationally active conductor, choral director, and composer, with a career closely associated with the performance of Baroque choral repertoire as well as a broad range of concert programmes. In a statement, he highlighted both the historical importance of the two ensembles and his intention to continue cultivating the major works of the Baroque while also developing a varied and contemporary concert offering.
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JANUARY 19, 2026
La Maestra International Competition for Women Conductors announces selected conductors for 2026 edition
The organisers of the La Maestra International Competition for Women Conductors have announced the 16 conductors selected to take part in the fourth edition of the competition, which will take place in Paris from 23 to 28 February 2026.
The selected conductors are: Doğa Çetin, Nefeli Chadouli, Soo Jin Chung, Mariana Corichi Gómez, Lamar Elias, Sunwoo Jeong, Sukjong Kim, Oksana Krotyk, Jiajing Lai, Polina Lebedieva, Alizé Léhon, Noemí Pasquina, Lea Ray, Jessica Rivero Altarriba, Molly Turner, and Öykü Yanık.
Founded in 2019 by the Philharmonie de Paris and the Paris Mozart Orchestra, La Maestra combines an international conducting competition with a two-year academy aimed at supporting the professional development of women conductors.
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JANUARY 18, 2026
Sheku Kanneh-Mason postpones European tour until mid-March due to finger injury
Cellist Sheku Kanneh-Mason has announced that he will not be able to return to the concert stage until mid-March, as he continues to recover from a finger injury. In a message shared on social media, he said that the recovery is progressing well following a period of rest, but that further physiotherapy and a gradual return to practice are still required.
As a result, his planned European tour with pianist Isata Kanneh-Mason will be postponed. Kanneh-Mason expressed his regret to audiences who had already purchased tickets and thanked them for their understanding and continued support.
The cellist has temporarily adjusted his concert schedule since late 2025 due to the injury, and his team has indicated that performances are expected to resume once his recovery is complete.
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JANUARY 18, 2026
Sydney Symphony Orchestra announces three permanent appointments
The Sydney Symphony Orchestra has announced the permanent appointment of three musicians to its ranks.
Olli Leppäniemi has been appointed Principal Clarinet. He has held principal positions with several European orchestras and has appeared as guest principal with ensembles including the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and the Australian Chamber Orchestra.
Lerida Delbridge becomes Principal Second Violin. A member of the Sydney Symphony since 2013, she previously served as Assistant Concertmaster and has performed with orchestras in Australia and New Zealand.
Robert Smith joins the orchestra as Tutti Second Violin. A graduate of the Queensland Conservatorium, he has performed with the Australian Youth Orchestra and other regional and international ensembles.
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JANUARY 16, 2026
Mirga Gražinytė-Tyla withdraws from January concerts with Orquesta y Coro Nacionales de España for health reasons
The Orquesta y Coro Nacionales de España has announced that Mirga Gražinytė-Tyla will be unable to conduct the concerts scheduled for 23, 24, and 25 January, following medical advice related to her recovery after surgery.
As a result, the programme has been revised. The concerts will now feature Brahms’s A German Requiem, conducted by Josep Pons, with Katharina Konradi and José Antonio López as soloists. The revised programme matches the one the ensemble is scheduled to perform at the Teatro de la Maestranza.
Tickets purchased for the original programme remain valid. Refunds may be requested through the original point of sale from 16 January until 48 hours before the start of each performance.
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JANUARY 16
Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra: Kahchun Wong replaces Daniele Gatti for Mahler Seventh
The Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra has announced that Daniele Gatti will be unable to travel to Hong Kong for the concert scheduled on 23 January 2026 at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre Concert Hall.
Kahchun Wong will step in to conduct the Hong Kong performance, which features Mahler’s Symphony No. 7. Ticket-holders may use their existing tickets for admission.
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JANUARY 15, 2026
Alan Gilbert extends contract at Royal Swedish Opera through 2029
The Royal Swedish Opera has announced the extension of Alan Gilbert’s contract as Music Director through the end of 2029, with the possibility of a further extension. Gilbert has held the position since 2021 and was named Royal Court Kapellmeister by King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden in 2022.
During his tenure in Stockholm, Gilbert has led productions including Parsifal, Wozzeck, and the company premiere of Rusalka. The contract extension coincides with a significant period for the institution, as 2026 marks the 500th anniversary of the Royal Swedish Orchestra and the final season in the current opera house ahead of its planned renovation.
Gilbert is also Chief Conductor of the NDR Elbphilharmonie Orchestra, a post he has held since 2019. He previously served as Music Director of the New York Philharmonic (2009–2017) and as Chief Conductor of the Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra, where he now holds the title of Conductor Laureate.
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JANUAY 15, 2026
Melbourne Symphony Orchestra appoints Natalie Chee as new concertmaster
Violinist Natalie Chee has been appointed concertmaster of the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, returning to Australia in 2026 after an extensive international career based primarily in Europe.
Chee began her musical training in Australia and later studied in Switzerland with Igor Ozim, receiving a Soloist Diploma with High Distinction in Bern. Early in her career, she became a member of Camerata Bern, which she also directed, and toured widely as a soloist and chamber musician.
She has since held concertmaster positions with Camerata Salzburg, the Radio Symphony Orchestra Stuttgart, and Cologne’s Gürzenich Orchestra, and has appeared regularly as guest concertmaster with major ensembles including the BBC Symphony Orchestra, Munich Philharmonic, Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra, and the Mahler Chamber Orchestra.
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