Singapore’s leading orchestra is entering a decisive turning point, and it comes with a new name at the podium.
From the 2026-27 season, Finnish conductor Hannu Lintu will take over as Music Director of the Singapore Symphony Orchestra (SSO), as the ensemble moves toward its 50th anniversary in 2029, Gramophone reports.
The appointment marks a new phase for an orchestra that has rapidly built international standing through acclaimed recordings, global broadcasts, and a distinctive sound shaped in the Esplanade Concert Hall.
Former Music Directors Lan Shui and Hans Graf helped transform the SSO from a regional ensemble into a globally recognised orchestra with a wide repertoire ranging from Russian symphonic works to Mahler, Strauss and contemporary music.
Lintu brings a strong profile from Finland, where he has led both the Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra and the Finnish National Opera, and is especially known for his work in modern and Nordic repertoire.
His first season will include major symphonic works such as Mahler, alongside touring plans and a broad repertoire spanning classical and contemporary music.
