Tugan Sokhiev Appointed Principal Conductor of Orchestre de la Suisse Romande

Tugan Sokhiev has been named Principal Conductor and Artistic Advisor of the Orchestre de la Suisse Romande, beginning with the 2026–27 season. The initial three-year appointment marks his first major leadership role since resigning from the Bolshoi Theatre and Orchestre national du Capitole de Toulouse in 2022. His artistic relationship with the Geneva-based ensemble began in 2024, and a performance of Prokofiev's Symphony No. 5 in October 2024 won strong support from musicians. Sokhiev will help shape artistic direction, participate in auditions, and collaborate on programming and touring. From 2027–28, he will spend six weeks per season in residence. In the 2026–27 season, he is scheduled to guest conduct the Berlin Philharmonic, Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra, Gewandhausorchester Leipzig, and Dresden Staatskapelle, and will lead the Vienna Philharmonic's 2027 New Year's Concert. Sokhiev resigned from his previous posts in March 2022 after Russia's invasion of Ukraine, citing pressure to take a political stance. He has since remained a regular guest conductor with leading orchestras.