Conductor Gemma New Announces 2025-2026 Season Highlights

Fifth Season as Artistic Advisor and Principal Conductor of the 

New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, with Contract to Continue as Artistic Partner

Debuts With City Of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, SWR Symphonieorchester,
Israel Philharmonic Orchestra, Belgian National Orchestra, KBS Symphony Orchestra,
Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, Nashville Symphony Orchestra,
and Houston Grand Opera

North American Return Engagements with the Los Angeles Philharmonic,
Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, Seattle Symphony, San Diego Symphony,
and the National Arts Centre Orchestra in Ottawa

European Returns to the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra, BBC National Orchestra of Wales,
BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, Orquesta Nacional de España,
Orquesta Sinfónica de Castilla y León,
Münchner Rundfunkorchester, and Bochumer Symphoniker

Leading the World Premiere of an NZSO Commission by Tabea Squire, Plus the U.K. Premiere
of Gabriella Smith’s Lost Coast. Conducting John Adams’ Saxophone Concerto,
Century Rolls and Short Ride in a Fast Machine. Performing Carme Fernández Vidal’s
Se sueña que se está soñando with Orquesta Nacional de España
and Julia Wolfe’s Fire in My Mouth with the Belgian National Orchestra

"New’s emphatic, muscular sweeps drew hard-earned tone quality" – The Guardian

“New gave exciting verve and raw energy” – BachTrack

www.gemmanew.com 

New York, NY (August 4, 2025) – Praised for her “programming prowess” (Vancouver Sun), conductor Gemma New is a rising star with a “unique sensitivity and a heightened attention to detail and texture” (The Washington Post). In 2026, New enters her fifth season as Artistic Advisor and Principal Conductor of the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra – where she recently secured a three-year contract extension to continue in the new role of Artistic Partner from 2027 to 2029. In addition to NZSO engagements throughout 2025-2026, New embarks on a global season of guest engagements with leading orchestras worldwide.

In the capstone to her summer 2025 schedule, New returns to the Los Angeles Philharmonic at the Hollywood Bowl on August 14, 2025, conducting a program of Rimsky-Korsakov’s Capriccio espagnol, Arutiunian’s Trumpet Concerto featuring soloist Pacho Flores, and Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 4 in F minor. Earlier in the summer, New made her debut with the Santa Fe Opera in Britten’s The Turn of the Screw, as well as returns to the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra in London, and the Bergen Philharmonic in Norway, where she led the orchestra at the Festspillene i Bergen (Bergen International Festival).

As the season gets underway, New takes on debuts with South Korea’s KBS Symphony Orchestra, as well as the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, Belgian National Orchestra, SWR Symphonieorchester, Israel Philharmonic Orchestra, Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, Nashville Symphony Orchestra, and Houston Grand Opera, where she leads a production of Rossini’s The Barber of Seville. North American return engagements bring her to the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, Seattle Symphony, San Diego Symphony, and Canada’s National Arts Centre Orchestra in Ottawa. In the UK and Europe, she returns to the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra, BBC National Orchestra of Wales, BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, Orquesta Nacional de España, Orquesta Sinfónica de Castilla y León, Münchner Rundfunkorchester, and Bochumer Symphoniker.

As Artistic Advisor and Principal Conductor of the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, New conducts a string of fall 2025 performances in Wellington, Christchurch, and Auckland. On September 5, 2025 at the Michael Fowler Centre in Wellington and September 6, 2025 at Auckland Town Hall, she leads the NZSO in Mahler’s Symphony No. 6. She returns on November 20 and 22, 2025 for a program featuring the world premiere of Conversation of the Light-ship and the Tide, an NZSO commission by Tabea Squire, alongside Glazunov’s Saxophone Concerto with saxophonist Jess Gillam, and music by Rachmaninoff and Milhaud. On November 28 and November 29, 2025, she conducts Bruckner’s Symphony No. 7 and Berlioz’s Les Nuits d'été, featuring mezzo-soprano Joyce DiDonato.

In North America, New returns to the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra on September 19, 2025, conducting Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 5 featuring soloist Lang Lang, as well as Mozart’s Eine Kleine Nachtmusik and Symphony 35, “Haffner.” On September 25, 2025, New debuts with the KBS Symphony Orchestra in Seoul, South Korea, leading a program of Bernstein’s Candide Overture, Copland’s Symphony No. 3, and the Korean premiere of John Adams’ Saxophone Concerto, again featuring soloist Jess Gillam. A second program follows on September 27, 2025 as the orchestra reprises the Bernstein and Adams works along with Rachmaninoff’s Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini and the third movement of Copland’s Symphony No. 3.

Increasingly acclaimed across the United Kingdom, New makes her debut with the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra on October 1, 2025 at Symphony Hall in Birmingham, UK, in a program of Bacewicz’s Overture, Sibelius’s Violin Concerto with violinist Christian Tetzlaff, and Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 5. On October 11, 2025, she returns to the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra for performance at Victoria Hall in Hanley, UK, featuring a program of Grieg’s Peer Gynt Suite No. 1, Bruch’s Violin Concerto with soloist Noa Wildschut, and Sibelius’s Symphony No. 2. On October 11, 2025, she leads the orchestra at The Bridgewater Hall in Manchester, UK, conducting the UK premiere of Gabriella Smith’s Lost Coast featuring cellist Gabriel Cabezas. The program also includes Bacewicz’s Overture and Sibelius’s Symphony No. 2.

New returns to North America for two concerts with the San Diego Symphony at Jacobs Music Center in San Diego, CA, on October 17 and 18, 2025. The program showcases Korngold’s Violin Concerto in D Major, featuring soloist Geneva Lewis, and two works by Mendelssohn: Overture & Nocturne from A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Symphony No.4 “Italian.”

On October 23 and 24, 2025, at Benaroya Hall, she leads the Seattle Symphony in Vaughan Williams’ A Sea Symphony, featuring soprano Wendy Bryn Harmer, baritone Jarrett Ott, and the Seattle Symphony Chorale; as well as Gabriella Smith’s Lost Coast, again featuring the Seattle Symphony’s Artist in Focus, cellist Gabriel Cabezas.

In Europe, New’s season engagements begin with three concerts with the Orquesta Nacional de España from November 7 to 9, 2025. Pianist Juan Floristan joins the orchestra for a program featuring the world premiere of Fernández Vidal’s Se sueña que se está soñando, alongside Copland’s Appalachian Spring, Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue, and Rimsky-Korsakov’s Capriccio Espagnol.

New’s next engagement brings her to Schermerhorn Symphony Center in Nashville, TN, on January 9 and 10, 2026, as she makes her Nashville Symphony debut conducting Beethoven's Egmont Overture, Mozart’s Symphony No. 41, “Jupiter,” and John Adams’ Century Rolls, performed by pianist Conrad Tao.

On January 18, 2026, New conducts the Münchner Rundfunkorchester in a program of works by Britten and Prokofiev, with tenor Ian Bostridge and horn player Rodrigo Ortiz Serrano featured on Britten’s Serenade op. 31.

She then makes her debut with the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra across five concerts from January 22 to 27, 2026. On January 22, 2026, at the Tel Aviv Culture Center, she conducts Gershwin’s An American in Paris and Bernstein’s Serenade, featuring violin soloist Vadim Gluzman. On January 23, the orchestra reprises its performance of Bernstein’s Serenade, paired with Copland’s Appalachian Spring. On January 24 and 25, New leads a program featuring the Bernstein and Copland pieces plus an additional work, Shulamit Ran’s Chicago Skyline. The same program will be performed at Haifa Auditorium at Haifa Auditorium on January 27, 2026.

Back in the UK, New leads the BBC National Orchestra of Wales on January 31, 2026 at BBC Hoddinott Hall in Cardiff, conducting a program of Prokofiev’s Symphony No. 1 in D major, “Classical’; Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 4 in G minor featuring soloist Vadym Kholodenko, and Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 6 in B minor, “Pathétique.” She goes on to conduct the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra in two concerts on February 5, 2026 at Glasgow City Hall and February 8, 2026, at Usher Hall in Edinburgh, UK. Both programs feature John Adams’ Short Ride in a Fast Machine, Barber’s Symphony No. 1, and Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 2 with pianist Alessio Bax. 

New’s next engagement brings her to the Orquesta Sinfónica de Castilla y León on February 20 and 21, 2026, leading a program of Salina Fisher’s Rainphase, Bernstein’s Serenade with violin soloist Esther Yoo, and Rimsky-Korsakov’s Scheherazade.

On February 27, 2026, she makes her debut with the Belgian National Orchestra, leading a performance of Julia Wolfe’s Fire in My Mouth. The large-scale production features performances by the Vlaams Radiokoor (Flemish Radio Choir) and the Children’s and Youth Choirs of La Monnaie, with a creative team including Anne Kauffman (set design), Jeff Sugg (light design, set concept, and video), Mark Grey (sound design), Márion Talán (costumes), and Kenny Savelson (project manager).

On March 5 and 6, 2026, New makes her SWR Symphonieorchester debut at Stuttgart Liederhalle, conducting Prokofiev’s Symphony No. 1 and Piazzolla’s Aconcagua, featuring bandoneonist Radu Ratoi. For the March 6 concert, the program additionally includes Barber’s Adagio for strings and Prokofiev’s Violin Concerto No. 2, featuring soloist Hana Chang.

New appears at the Bochumer Symphoniker for two concerts on March 12 and 13, 2026, spotlighting cellist Camille Thomas in Fazil Say’s Never Give Up and Mahler’s Symphony No. 1, “Titan.” 

She returns to Canada’s National Arts Centre Orchestra in Ottawa on March 18 and 19, 2026, to conduct Copland’s Appalachian Spring, Kelly-Marie Murphy’s A Thousand Natural Shocks, and Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 3 with pianist Jaeden Izik-Dzurko.

The following month, she makes her Houston Grand Opera debut in a production of Rossini’s The Barber of Seville from April 24 to May 10, 2026, featuring baritone Will Liverman in his HGO debut as Figaro; tenor Jack Swanson as Almaviva; mezzo-soprano Daniela Mack in her company debut as Rosina; baritone Alessandro Corbelli as Dr. Bartolo; and bass-baritone Luca Pisaroni as Don Basilio, with director Joan Font.

New concludes her season with her debut at the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra on May 29 and 31, 2026, where she is joined by violinist Stefan Jackiw for Korngold’s Violin Concerto. The program also includes Fisher’s Rainphase and Rimsky-Korsakov’s Scheherazade.

Gemma New 2025-2026 Season Calendar

August 14, 2025 at 8:00pm
Los Angeles Philharmonic
Hollywood Bowl | Los Angeles, CA
Link: www.hollywoodbowl.com/events/performances/3615/2025-08-14/tchaikovskys-fourth

September 5, 2025 at 6:30pm
New Zealand Symphony Orchestra 
Michael Fowler Centre | Wellington, NZ
Link: www.nzso.co.nz/the-nzso/events-tickets/events/mahler-6 

September 6, 2025 at 7:30pm
New Zealand Symphony Orchestra 
Auckland Town Hall | Auckland, NZ
Link: www.nzso.co.nz/the-nzso/events-tickets/events/mahler-6 

September 19, 2025 at 8:00pm
Atlanta Symphony Orchestra 
Atlanta Symphony Hall | Atlanta, GA
Link: www.aso.org/events/detail/lang-lang-performs-beethoven 

September 25, 2025 at 8:00pm
KBS Symphony Orchestra
Seoul Arts Center Concert Hall | Seoul, South Korea
Link: www.kbssymphony.org/eng/m/concerts/concerts_view.php?number=28820

October 1, 2025 at 2:15pm
City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra 
Symphony Hall | Birmingham, UK
Link: www.cbso.co.uk/events/shostakovichs-fifth-symphony 

October 11, 2025 at 7:30pm
BBC Philharmonic Orchestra 
The Bridgewater Hall | Manchester, UK
Link: www.bbc.co.uk/philharmonic/events/by/date/2025/10 

October 17, 2025 at 7:30pm
October 18, 2025 at 7:30pm
San Diego Symphony 
Jacobs Music Center | San Diego, CA
Link: www.sandiegosymphony.org/performances/music-of-the-heavens/ 

October 23, 2025 at 7:30pm
October 24, 2025 at 8:00pm
Seattle Symphony 
Benaroya Hall | Seattle, WA
Link: www.seattlesymphony.org/en/concerttickets/calendar/2025-2026/25sub4 

November 7, 2025 at 7:30pm
November 8, 2025 at 7:30pm
November 9, 2025 at 11:30am
National Orchestra of Spain
Symphony Hall | Madrid, Spain
Link: www.ocne.mcu.es/programacion/sinfonico-04 

November 20, 2025 at 6:30pm
New Zealand Symphony Orchestra 
Michael Fowler Centre | Wellington, NZ 
Link: www.nzso.co.nz/the-nzso/events-tickets/events/symphonic-dances  

November 22, 2025 at 7:30pm
New Zealand Symphony Orchestra 
Christchurch Town Hall | Christchurch, NZ
Link: www.nzso.co.nz/the-nzso/events-tickets/events/symphonic-dances 

November 28, 2025 at 6:30pm
New Zealand Symphony Orchestra 
Michael Fowler Centre | Wellington, NZ 
Link: www.nzso.co.nz/the-nzso/events-tickets/events/joyce-didonato 

November 29, 2025 at 7:30pm
New Zealand Symphony Orchestra 
Auckland Town Hall | Auckland, NZ 
Link: www.nzso.co.nz/the-nzso/events-tickets/events/joyce-didonato 

January 9 and 10, 2026 at 7:30pm
Nashville Symphony
Schermerhorn Symphony Center | Nashville, TN
Link: www.nashvillesymphony.org/tickets/concert/2025-2026-season/mozarts-jupiter-symphony/ 

January 18, 2026 at 3:00pm
Münchner Rundfunkorchester
Prinzregententheater | Munich Germany
Link: www.rundfunkorchester.de/konzerte/a-tribute-to-benjamin-britten/

January 22, 2026 at 9:00pm
Israel Philharmonic Orchestra 
Tel Aviv Culture Center, Tel Aviv, Israel
Link: www.ipo.co.il/en/program/gemma-new-conductor-vadim-gluzman-violinist-jeans/?event_id=56470

January 23, 2026 at 11:00am
Israel Philharmonic Orchestra 
Tel Aviv Culture Center, Tel Aviv, Israel
Link: www.ipo.co.il/en/program/gemma-new-conductor-vadim-gluzman-violinist-intermezzo/?event_id=56463

January 24-25, 2026 at 11:00am
Israel Philharmonic Orchestra 
Tel Aviv Culture Center, Tel Aviv, Israel
Link: www.ipo.co.il/en/program/gemma-new-conductor-vadim-gluzman-violinist/?event_id=56455

January 27, 2026 at 6:00pm
Israel Philharmonic Orchestra 
Haifa Auditorium | Haifa, Israel
Link: www.ipo.co.il/en/program/gemma-new-conductor-vadim-gluzman-violinist/?event_id=56455

February 5, 2026 at 7:30pm
BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra
Glasgow City Halls | Glasgow, UK
Link: www.bbc.co.uk/events/ewh84f 

February 8, 2026 at 3:00pm
BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra
Usher Halls | Edinburgh, UK
Link: www.bbc.co.uk/events/ep8rn3 

February 20, 2026 at 7:30pm
Orquesta Sinfónica de Castilla y León
Symphony Hall | Valladolid, Spain
Link: www.oscyl.com/evento/programa-11-temporada-25-26-oscyl-turno-1/

February 21, 2026 at 7:30pm
Orquesta Sinfónica de Castilla y León
Symphony Hall | Valladolid, Spain
Link: www.oscyl.com/evento/programa-11-temporada-25-26-oscyl-turno-2/

February 27, 2026 at 8:00pm
Belgian National Orchestra
Bozar | Brussels, Belgium
Link: www.nationalorchestra.be/en/whats-on/calendar/fire-in-my-mouth 

March 5-6 2026 at 1:00pm
SWR Symphonieorchester
Stuttgart Liederhalle | Stuttgart, Germany
Link: www.swr.de/swrkultur/musik-klassik/symphonieorchester/veranstaltung-05-03-2026-stuttgart-100.html 

March 12-13, 2026 at 8:00pm
Bochumer Symphoniker
Great Hall | Bochum, Germany
Link: www.bochumer-symphoniker.de/programm/detail/echte-heldinnen 

March 18-19, 2026 at 8:00pm
National Arts Centre Orchestra
Southam Hall | Ottawa, Canada
Link: www.nac-cna.ca/en/event/38410 

April 24, 2026 at 7:30pm
April 26, 2026 at 2:00pm
May 2, 2026 at 7:30pm
May 6, 2026 at 7:30pm
May 8, 2026 at 7:30pm
May 10, 2026 at 2:00pm
Houston Grand Opera
Wortham Theater Center | Houston, TX
Link: www.houstongrandopera.org/on-stage/the-barber-of-seville 

May 29, 2026 at 7:30pm
May 31, 2026 at 2:30pm
Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra
Heinz Hall | Pittsburgh, PA
Link: www.pittsburghsymphony.org/production/99041/scheherazade 

About Gemma New
Known for her “unique sensitivity and a heightened attention to detail and texture” (The Washington Post) and “programming prowess” (Vancouver Sun), New Zealand-born Gemma New (ONZM) is Artistic Advisor and Principal Conductor of the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, and a highly sought-after guest conductor worldwide. She is the recipient of the prestigious 2021 Sir Georg Solti Conducting Award and was appointed an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2024.

Highlights of New’s 2025/2026 season include her debuts with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, KBS Symphony Orchestra, City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, Nashville Symphony Orchestra, Israel Philharmonic Orchestra, Belgian National Orchestra, SWR Sinfonieorchester, Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, and with Houston Grand Opera leading a production of Rossini’s The Barber of Seville. In the United States and Canada, she returns to lead the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, San Diego Symphony Orchestra, Seattle Symphony Orchestra, and the National Arts Centre Orchestra in Ottawa, Canada. Equally in-demand in Europe, she returns to the BBC Philharmonic, Orquesta y Coro Nacionales de España, Münchner Rundfunkorchester, BBC National Orchestra of Wales, BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, Orquesta Sinfónica de Castilla y León, and Bochumer Symphoniker.

In her fourth season as Artistic Advisor and Principal Conductor of the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, New conducts a string of fall 2025 performances in Wellington, Christchurch, and Auckland, featuring the World Premiere of an NZSO commission by Tabea Squire and collaborating with mezzo-soprano Joyce DiDonato and saxophonist Jess Gillam. Other NZSO highlights include performances of Bruckner’s Symphony No. 7 and Mahler's Sixth Symphony.

Among her recent season highlights, New made subscription debuts with the Münchner Rundfunkorchester, Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra, National Arts Centre Orchestra in Ottawa, Canada, BBC National Orchestra & Chorus of Wales, Brussels Philharmonic, Netherlands Philharmonic Orchestra, and Prague Philharmonic. Her 2025 summer highlights include her debut with Santa Fe Opera leading a production of Britten’s The Turn of the Screw and her return to the Hollywood Bowl to conduct the Los Angeles Philharmonic.

2023/2024 marked New’s ninth and final season as Music Director of the Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra in Ontario, Canada. During her tenure, she deepened the artistic excellence of the orchestra and expanded its reach into the community, launching the “Intimate and Immersive” concert series celebrating music by Canadian composers in a visually vibrant setting. Under New’s leadership, the orchestra embraced a bold programming style that built audiences significantly, highlighted by collaborations with many of Canada’s leading soloists, including James Ehnes, Timothy Chooi, Janina Fialkowska and Stewart Goodyear.

New previously served as Principal Guest Conductor of the Dallas Symphony Orchestra with other previous posts including Resident Conductor of the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra and Associate Conductor of the New Jersey Symphony. A former Dudamel Conducting Fellow with the Los Angeles Philharmonic and Conducting Fellow at Tanglewood Music Center, she was awarded Solti Foundation U.S. Career Assistance Awards in 2017, 2019 and 2020, before receiving the 2021 Sir Georg Solti Conducting Award.

*Photo Credit: Benjamin Ealovega

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