André de Ridder
(c) Marco Borggreve
Recently named Music Director of the English National Opera, André de Ridder is also the next Music Director of the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra for a tenure to start in 2027.
The German conductor (*1971) is the Generalmusikdirektor (GMD) of the Theater Freiburg in Germany since the 2022/23 season.
In May 2025, English National Opera announced the appointment of de Ridder as its next music director, effective with the 2027-2028 season, and with the title of music director-designate as of September 2025. De Ridder will be the first Music Director of the NZSO since Edo de Waart departed in 2019.
Gemma New, the orchestra’s Artistic Advisor and Principal Conductor since 2022, will continue her association with the NZSO in the new role of Artistic Partner.
