Fabio Luisi

Conductor

New on STAGE+

Show all

Luisi conducts Scriabin: Symphony No. 1 & Schoenberg’s Verklärte Nacht

DNSO

Concert87 Min

Luisi conducts Scriabin: Prometheus – plus Strauss and Wagner

DNSO

Concert74 Min

Luisi conducts Scriabin: The Poem of Ecstasy & Brahms Symphony No. 3

DNSO

Concert58 Min

Luisi conducts Scriabin: Symphony No. 3

DNSO

Concert50 Min

Luisi conducts Nielsen: Symphony No. 6 & Aladdin Suite

Danish National SO

Concert68 Min

Luisi conducts Nielsen: Symphony No. 4 & Clarinet Concerto

Danish National SO

Concert80 Min

Luisi conducts Nielsen: Symphony No. 3 & Flute Concerto

Danish National SO

Concert74 Min

Luisi conducts Nielsen: Symphony No. 2 & Hymnus Amoris

Danish National SO

Concert76 Min

Luisi conducts Nielsen: Symphony No. 1 & Helios Overture

Danish National SO

Concert74 Min

Luisi conducts Nielsen: Symphony No. 5 & Violin Concerto—with Bomsori

Danish National SO

Concert100 Min

Albums

Show all

Schoenberg: Verklärte Nacht

Danish National Symphony Orchestra, Fabio Luisi

Nielsen: The Concertos

Danish National Symphony Orchestra, Fabio Luisi

Nielsen: Symphonies Nos. 2 & 6

Danish National Symphony Orchestra, Fabio Luisi

Nielsen: Symphonies Nos. 1 & 3

Danish National Symphony Orchestra, Fabio Luisi

Nielsen: Symphonies Nos. 4 & 5

Danish National Symphony Orchestra, Fabio Luisi

Bellini: I Capuleti e i Montecchi

Anna Netrebko, Elīna Garanča, Joseph Calleja, Robert Gleadow, Tiziano Bracci, Wiener Symphoniker, Wiener Singakademie, Fabio Luisi

Aria Cantilena

Elīna Garanča, Staatskapelle Dresden, Fabio Luisi

Documentaries

Carl Nielsen – Between Heaven and Earth

Documentary53 Min

Conductor

Fabio Luisi is one of the most distinguished conductors of our time. With his precise baton technique, refined sound aesthetics, and exceptional versatility, he has earned an international reputation. Whether in opera or concert repertoire, Luisi masterfully reveals the deepest layers of a score, skillfully balancing tradition and innovation. His career has taken him to the top of renowned orchestras and opera houses, including the Metropolitan Opera in New York, the Sächsische Staatskapelle Dresden, and the Dallas Symphony Orchestra. As a musical architect with a keen sense for structure and timbre, he continues to shape the global music scene.

Early Years and Musical Formation

Fabio Luisi was born in 1959 in Genoa and developed a close connection to music at an early age. Initially starting his artistic career as a pianist, he soon gravitated toward orchestral conducting during his studies at the Niccolò Paganini Conservatory in his hometown. Inspired by great Italian conductors like Arturo Toscanini and Claudio Abbado, he refined his craft, dedicating himself intensely to both symphonic and operatic repertoire. His precise technique and sensitivity to orchestral colors soon marked him as an outstanding talent.

International Breakthroughs and Key Milestones

The 1990s marked Luisi’s rise on the international stage. After serving as chief conductor in Graz and Zurich, he became General Music Director of the Staatskapelle Dresden in 2005, where he was especially celebrated for his interpretations of Richard Strauss and Anton Bruckner. At the same time, he expanded his repertoire to include French and Russian composers, demonstrating remarkable versatility. His career took a major leap forward in 2011 when he assumed the musical direction of the Metropolitan Opera following the unexpected resignation of James Levine. There, he conducted not only the classical Romantic opera repertoire of Giuseppe Verdi and Richard Wagner but also captivated audiences with interpretations of contemporary works. Since 2020, Luisi has been the Chief Conductor of the Dallas Symphony Orchestra, where he has refined the orchestra’s sound with his distinctive style. Simultaneously, he led the Danish National Symphony Orchestra, dedicating himself to Scandinavian music—especially the works of Carl Nielsen—while also championing contemporary compositions.

Sound Culture and Artistic Philosophy

Luisi’s conducting style is characterized by extraordinary clarity, precision, and deep structural understanding of scores. He favors an elegant, fluid orchestral sound, avoiding theatrical gestures in favor of an intense musical expression. Particularly in late Romantic music, he focuses on profound sound shaping and transparent orchestral balance. His meticulous rehearsal work and deep respect for tradition are paired with an openness to new interpretations, establishing him as a conductor who masterfully brings both the classical core repertoire and lesser-known works to life.

Fabio Luisi Today – Between Tradition and Innovation

Since 2022, he has served as Chief Conductor of the NHK Symphony Orchestra in Tokyo. His discography spans an impressive range—from complete opera recordings to symphonic masterpieces. As one of the most sought-after conductors of our time, Fabio Luisi remains a guarantee of musical excellence and refined sound aesthetics. His ability to interpret major scores with analytical precision and emotional depth makes him one of the most fascinating figures in the world of classical music.