Alessandro Bonato appointed as Chief Conductor at the Haydn Orchestra
January 27, 2025 - Bolzano, Italy
Alessandro Bonato Appointed Chief Conductor of the Haydn Orchestra
The Haydn Foundation of Bolzano and Trento has announced the appointment of Alessandro Bonato as Chief Conductor of the Haydn Orchestra for the 2025–2028 seasons. Beginning in October 2025, the conductor from Verona will join the Orchestra’s leadership team, which also includes Music Director Ottavio Dantone and Principal Guest Conductor Thomas Dausgaard.
Bonato’s collaboration with the Haydn Foundation began two years ago and has included several successful projects, such as the audience-acclaimed New Year’s concerts tour. His appointment comes just days before his debut conducting Rossini’s The Barber of Seville at the Teatro Sociale in Trento on January 31 and February 2. In his role as Chief Conductor, Bonato will contribute to both the symphonic and operatic programming and will work closely with Artistic Director Giorgio Battistelli and the Orchestra to further its artistic vision and enhance its profile on a national and international level.
“The appointment of Alessandro Bonato reflects the Foundation’s commitment to fostering emerging artistic talents from Italy and Europe,” says Giorgio Battistelli, Artistic Director of the Haydn Foundation. “Bonato is part of a new generation of conductors who possess a distinctive artistic sensibility, rooted in the classical repertoire, yet open to exploring the challenges of 20th-century and contemporary music.”
Paul Gasser, President of the Haydn Foundation, adds: “In recent years, the Foundation’s approach to programming has strived to combine a diverse repertoire with rarely performed works. This has been supported by collaborations with outstanding conductors such as Ottavio Dantone, Michele Mariotti, Kent Nagano, and Thomas Dausgaard. Alessandro Bonato’s artistic depth and professionalism complements and strengthens this team.”
Alessandro Bonato himself expressed his enthusiasm: “From my very first collaboration with the Haydn Orchestra, I felt a strong connection with its musicians. There is a rare sense of trust and artistic synergy within this Orchestra that creates an inspiring environment for an artistic partnership . I am excited about this new chapter and look forward to the journey ahead.”
About Alessandro Bonato
Born in Verona in 1995, Alessandro Bonato has quickly established himself as one of the most promising conductors of his generation. He has worked with renowned orchestras, including La Scala Philharmonic, the RAI National Symphony Orchestra, and the Orchestra of the Maggio Musicale Fiorentino, as well as the Danish National Symphony Orchestra and the Tokyo Symphony Orchestra. At just 22 years old, he became the youngest Chief Conductor in the history of Italian Concert-Orchestral Institutions, leading the FORM-Orchestra Filarmonica Marchigiana. In 2022, he made his debut at Wiener Musikverein with the Wiener Concert-Verein and has been recognized at international competitions, including the Nicolai Malko Competition for Young Conductors. Bonato began his musical studies as a violinist, later expanding to viola, composition, and conducting, making his debut in 2013 with the Verona Conservatory Orchestra.
Haydn Orchestra: A Cultural Pillar in the Alps Founded in 1960 by the cities and provinces of Bolzano and Trento, the Haydn Orchestra has established itself as a cornerstone of the Trentino-South Tyrol’s cultural life and a key player in Italy’s musical landscape. Its repertoire spans from baroque masterpieces to contemporary works, including world premieres by composers such as Luigi Dallapiccola, Luciano Berio, and Luigi Nono. The Orchestra has appeared at prestigious festivals and venues, including the Bregenzer Festspiele, Salzburg Mozarteum, Wiener Musikverein, and Venice Biennale, while touring across Europe, Japan, and the United States. Recent highlights include a celebrated tour of Japan, with performances at Osaka’s Festival Hall and Tokyo’s Suntory Hall. Since the 2021/22 season, the Orchestra has been guided by Artistic Director Giorgio Battistelli, with Ottavio Dantone serving as Music Director and Thomas Dausgaard as Principal Guest Conductor. From the 2025/26 season, the leadership will be further strengthened by Alessandro Bonato as Chief Conductor, completing a dynamic team that reflects the Orchestra’s commitment to artistic excellence. Known for its adaptability, the Haydn Orchestra embraces diverse formations, repertoires, and venues. Since its foundation, the Orchestra’s mission to pose as a bridge between cultures, linking northern Europe with the Mediterranean, has built its reputation as a leading force in the Italian music scene. More information www.haydn.it