The 44th season of the La Scala Philharmonic, as is now tradition, presents a mix of familiar faces and new discoveries. The program features debuts by young yet already acclaimed soloists, from the sensational violinist María Dueñas to pianist Alexandre Kantarow, alongside the arrival of new conductors like 35-year-old Maria Jacquot. The orchestra’s core “stable” of maestros is also confirmed, starting with Principal Conductor Riccardo Chailly, who is the only conductor slated to lead two concerts in the season.
Confirmed returning initiatives include the Open Filarmonica activities. These range from open rehearsals supporting social causes and a free public square concert to the €4,000 Maura Giorgetti scholarships for musicians under 24—this year dedicated to trombone and tuba players. This is complemented by the Unicredit Award, a €1,000 prize reserved for the youngest musician in the final audition.
The season will open on January 19th with Riccardo Chailly, who has been principal conductor for a decade. Artistic coordinator Damiano Cottalasso explained that projects with Chailly are planned through 2028, describing a podium appearance that season as “almost a unique event.” Although his role as Music Director of La Scala will conclude at the end of 2026, the Milanese maestro will continue his work with the Philharmonic. Reflecting on a partnership spanning 200 concerts—120 of them abroad in the last ten years out of a total 160—Chailly stated at the season’s presentation that “the relationship has never worn out but has, over the years, grown deeper.” He will also take the podium on October 18th with soloist Augustin Hadelich.
Season habitués are also returning, including Lorenzo Viotti (February 16th), Fabio Luisi (February 23rd), Michele Mariotti (April 13th), and Myung-Whun Chung—the future Music Director of La Scala starting in 2027—who will conduct on March 30th following an autumn tour in Korea and Japan.
Among the highly anticipated debuts is that of 23-year-old Spanish violinist María Dueñas (May 11th with the Tonhalle-Orchester Zürich) and conductor Maria Jacquot, who will lead the Philharmonic on May 25th with violist Antoine Tamestit.
A triple debut is expected on October 25th: Gustavo Gimeno will conduct the Philharmonic for the first time, alongside trombonist Jörgen van Rijen, also making his first appearance with the orchestra, to perform the Italian premiere of Samy Moussa’s trombone concerto. Two further debuts follow on November 11th with Finnish conductor Santtu-Matias Rouvali and South Korean violinist Bomsori Kim, who will perform Henryk Wieniawski’s violin concerto.