The Philharmonia Zurich is the orchestra of Zurich Opera House and has been conducted by General Music Director Gianandrea Noseda since 2021. Gianandrea Noseda was preceded in this capacity by Fabio Luisi, Ralf Weikert, Franz Welser-Möst and Daniele Gatti. Many renowned conductors have regularly stood at the rostrum of the Philharmonia Zurich, exerting a decisive influence on the ensemble, which was formed in 1985 after the demise of the long-established Tonhalle- und Theaterorchester (TTO). These have included such luminaries as Alain Altinoglu, Marco Armiliato, Teodor Currentzis, Christoph von Dohnányi, John Eliot Gardiner, Bernard Haitink, Nikolaus Harnoncourt, Ingo Metzmacher, Nello Santi and Simone Young. The Philharmonia Zurich’s repertoire runs the entire gamut of orchestral literature, ranging from baroque music to contemporary compositions. The Philharmonia Zurich can be heard at approximately 250 opera and ballet performances each season. In addition, the Philharmonic Concerts serve as a podium for the concert repertoire, while the ensemble’s artistic spectrum is complemented by chamber music concerts. One special feature of the Philharmonia Zurich is the “Orchestra La Scintilla”, a period ensemble consisting of members of the Philharmonia Zurich, who further enrich Zurich’s cultural scene with opera performances on historical instruments. The fruit of many years of collaboration with Nikolaus Harnoncourt, the “Orchestra La Scintilla” works with conductors such as William Christie, Marc Minkowski, Thomas Hengelbrock and Giovanni Antonini.

Gianandrea Noseda

Gianandrea Noseda has been General Music Director of the Opernhaus Zurich since the 2021/22 season. He is also Music Director of the National Symphony Orchestra (Washington, D. C.)  and Principal Guest Conductor of the London Symphony Orchestra. In 2019 he became the founding Music Director of the Tsinandali Festival and Pan-Caucasian Youth Orchestra in the village of Tsinandali, Georgia. Noseda’s leadership as Music Director of the Teatro Regio Torino from 2007–2018 transformed the opera house resulting in internationally acclaimed productions, tours, and recordings. Noseda has conducted the most important international orchestras (Berlin Philharmonic, Chicago Symphony, Cleveland Orchestra, Concergetbouw Orchestra, Vienna Philharmonic), opera houses (La Scala, Metropolitan Opera and Royal Opera House, Covent Garden) and festivals (BBC Proms, Edinburgh, Salzburg and Verbier). He has had significant roles at the BBC Philharmonic (Chief Conductor), Israel Philharmonic Orchestra (Principal Guest Conductor), Mariinsky Theatre (Principal Guest Conductor), Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra (Victor de Sabata Chair), Rotterdam Philharmonic (Principal Guest Conductor) and Stresa Festival (Artistic Director). Gianandrea Noseda’s discography comprises more than 60 CDs; notable among them is the «Musica Italiana» Project, in which Noseda documents neglected Italian repertoire of the 20th century. Born in Milan, Noseda holds the honor of Commendatore al Merito della Repubblica Italiana. He was honored as Musical America’s Conductor of the Year in 2015 and named Conductor of the Year by the International Opera Awards in 2016.