A conductor of vision, renowned for her extraordinary insight, Susanna Mälkki is in high demand by the most prominent symphony orchestras, opera houses, and contemporary music ensembles in the world. She begins her fifth season as Chief Conductor of the Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra and fourth season as Principal Guest Conductor of the Los Angeles Philharmonic. Maestra Mälkki impresses audiences with her fresh, challenging, and astonishingly broad approach to artistic programming. She will make her debut at the Festival d’Aix-en-Provence in July 2021 at the helm of the London Symphony Orchestra, in the world premiere of Kaija Saariaho’s new opera Innocence. She will serve as Guest Conductor of the Orchestre symphonique de Montréal, London Symphony Orchestra, Los Angeles Philharmonic, Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra, Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra and Berlin Philharmonic, as well as of the Finnish National Opera in a new production of Die Walküre. Major operatic appearances include venues such as the Opéra national de Paris, Wiener Staatsoper, and Metropolitan Opera. Mälkki has garnered international recognition: she is a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Music, and an Officier de l’ordre des Arts et des lettres of France, and was awarded the Pro Finlandia Medal of the Order of the Lion of Finland as well as the Nordic Council Music Prize.

Jean-Willy Kunz is the first Organist-in-Residence of the Orchestre symphonique de Montréal. In addition to performances with the Orchestra and as a soloist in recital, he supervises the development and showcasing of the OSM’s Grand Orgue Pierre-Béique at the Maison symphonique de Montréal. His most recent performances include concerts with the Orchestre symphonique de Montréal, Orchestre symphonique de Québec, Toronto Symphony Orchestra, Violons du Roy, with saxophonist Branford Marsalis, and with singer-songwriters Pierre Lapointe, Rufus Wainwright and Martha Wainwright. A significant portion of his discography reflects multiple musical influences: Symphonie et créations pour orgue et orchestre, with the OSM (2016 Juno Award-winning album) ; Impressions for organ, clarinet, saxophone, trombone, double bass and percussions; Punkt, with Pierre Lapointe and André Gagnon Baroque, for harpsichord and symphony orchestra. Jean-Willy Kunz is Professor of Organ at the Conservatoire de musique de Montréal and Artistic Director of the Canadian International Organ Competition.