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September 14, 2026

Conductor Christian Reif Announces 2026-2027 Season

Called “an arresting force from the podium” (The Washington Post) and described as “a rare pleasure to watch” (Merker), German conductor Christian Reif has established a reputation for his natural musicality, innovative programming, and technical command. In 2026-2027, Reif takes on his fourth season as Chief Conductor of the Gavle Symphony Orchestra in Sweden, where he recently secured a contract extension to continue in the role through the 2027-2028 season. He also returned in summer 2026 as Music Director of the Lakes Area Music Festival in Minnesota, and serves this season as Music Director Designate of the Wuppertal Opera & Symphony Orchestra, where he conducts a special “360-degree” concert experience merging audience and orchestra in March 2027. During this season’s Gavle schedule, Reif leads a string of concerts combining core classical repertoire with works by 20th and 21st century composers including John Adams and Swedish notables Tobias Broström and Karin Rehnqvist. In guest engagements across the United States and Europe, he makes debuts with the Rhode Island Philharmonic, Rice University Shepherd School of Music, Sarasota Orchestra, Lithuanian State Symphony Orchestra, and Borusan Istanbul Philharmonic Orchestra, plus returns to the San Francisco Symphony, KBS Symphony Orchestra and Latvian National Symphony Orchestra. The season’s concerts feature solo appearances by Joshua Bell, Arabella Steinbacher, Sterling Elliott, and more.