Elias Grandy
(c) Shervin Lainez

The Prague Radio Symphony Orchestra has appointed German-Japanese conductor Elias Grandy (*1981) as its future Chief Conductor and Artistic Director. Beginning with the 2026/2027 season, Grandy will succeed Petr Popelka.

Currently in his first season as Chief Conductor of Sapporo Symphony, Grandy also regularly collaborates with major orchestras and opera houses. Born and raised in Germany, Grandy studied cello and conducting in Munich, Basel, and Berlin. Before stepping on the conductor’s podium, he performed as a cellist with ensembles such as the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra and the Komische Oper Berlin. Spending his formative years in leading German opera houses, he began his conducting career at the State Theatre in Darmstadt and soon after won the Sir Georg Solti International Conducting Competition. From 2015 to 2023, he served as Music Director of Heidelberg Theatre and Orchestra.