Christian Reif Appointed General Music Director of Wuppertaler Bühnen und Sinfonieorchester Starting in 2027/28

 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 
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Yannick Dietrich | Sinfonieorchester Wuppertal | Marketingreferent
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Christian Reif Appointed General Music Director
of Wuppertaler Bühnen und Sinfonieorchester
Starting in 2027/28 

Wuppertal (Friday, Jan. 30, 2026) – Conductor Christian Reif will become the new General Music Director (GMD) of Wuppertaler Bühnen und Sinfonieorchester, beginning his inaugural season in 2027/28, following his tenure as Music Director Designate in the 2026/27 season. The 36-year-old also serves as Chief Conductor of the Gävle Symphony Orchestra in Sweden and Music Director of the Lakes Area Music Festival in Minnesota. Reif made a lasting impression on Wuppertal audiences in June 2025, leading the opera in Don Giovanni, and in September 2025 during a high-energy guest appearance conducting the Wuppertal Symphony Orchestra. Following a unanimous vote by the search committee, his appointment was confirmed by the Supervisory Board. Reif succeeds Patrick Hahn, who is stepping down at his own request in the summer of 2026 after five successful seasons.  

A GRAMMY® Award-winner, Christian Reif has established a reputation for his natural musicality, innovative programming, and highly precise conducting technique. Since 2022, he has served as Music Director of the Lakes Area Music Festival, a month-long summer festival in Minnesota featuring a diverse range of programming – from opera and chamber music to symphonic concerts and world premieres. With a strong presence in both North America and Europe, Christian Reif has conducted symphony orchestras of Los Angeles and Houston, Munich Radio Orchestra, SWR Symphony Orchestra, and BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, amongst others.

He is equally at home in the opera house and has led productions of Ariadne auf Naxos, Don Pasquale, Hänsel und Gretel, and The Rake’s Progress at the Lakes Area Music Festival, Don Giovanni at the Music Academy of the West, The Merry Wives of Windsor at Juilliard Opera, and Pagliacci at Opera San José. From 2016 to 2019, Christian Reif was Resident Conductor of the San Francisco Symphony and Music Director of the San Francisco Symphony Youth Orchestra, following his time as a Conducting Fellow at the New World Symphony and the Tanglewood Music Center. He studied conducting at the Mozarteum University Salzburg and at The Juilliard School in New York City.

Reif won a GRAMMY® Award in 2024 for the Nonesuch Records release Walking in the Dark, the debut solo album of soprano Julia Bullock, in which he appears as pianist and conducts the Philharmonia Orchestra. 

Christian Reif, General Music Director Designate: “To be welcomed into the role of General Music Director of the Wuppertaler Bühnen and Sinfonieorchester is both a joy and a responsibility that I embrace with gratitude. 

"From the very first time making music with the orchestra and singers, we shared an immediate and strong musical connection, alongside a remarkable spirit of openness. On stage and beyond, together we will harness this collective creative energy to develop performances that speak with clarity, intensity, and imagination.

"Getting to know the community of Wuppertal and the city itself will be equally as important. I look forward to a musical and cultural dialogue that feels meaningful, engaging, and truly alive. It will be a new chapter for me – one enriched by this community and by our shared curiosity and commitment to the arts." 

Miriam Scherff, Mayor: “In Christian Reif, we have secured an internationally sought-after conductor and a passionate artist. He will enrich our city with world-class performances and fresh ideas. I am delighted that he will be shaping the future of our opera and symphony orchestra.” 

Matthias Nocke, Head of Cultural Affairs: "A whole range of high-caliber conductors applied for the position of General Music Director in Wuppertal. This speaks to the high standard of our symphony orchestra and our opera. Christian Reif is a top-tier musician who wants to make an impact in and for Wuppertal. He is a true asset to our city."   

Karin van der Most, Chair of the Search Committee: "He captivated both the committee and the Wuppertal audience with his remarkable ability to inspire and engage. Combining exceptional artistry with a steadfast commitment to our city, he possesses the ideal vision to lead the Wuppertal Symphony Orchestra into its next chapter."

Heide Koch, Managing Director: “We are welcoming an exceptional musician and a dedicated team player to our leadership team. Christian’s creativity and openness will be a great asset to our institution, both artistically and personally. I look forward to a fruitful collaboration that will resonate both locally and internationally.” 

Michael Hablitzel, Chairman of the Orchestra Board: “The orchestra is thrilled to work with Christian Reif. His guest conducting for Don Giovanni in June 2025, and our recent symphony concert, energized both the musicians and the audience. He will bring fresh momentum to the orchestra while maintaining our high artistic standards.” 

About the Wuppertal Symphony Orchestra
The Wuppertal Symphony Orchestra is a jewel of the German orchestral landscape. Performing over 40 programs per season, the ensemble is known for its versatility and infectious passion for performance. It also serves as a flexible and sonorous partner to the Wuppertal Opera. The orchestra’s history dates back to 1862, when 18 musicians founded the “Elberfelder Kapelle.” Since 1900, its home has been the Historische Stadthalle Wuppertal, one of Europe’s finest concert halls. For over 20 years, the orchestra has been a leader in music education and sustainability, including its membership in the Orchester des Wandels (Orchestras of Change) initiative.

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