Sonia Ben-Santamaria, Musical Director

Named Rising Star of Classical Music by the BBC Opera magazine, following her conducting of Verdi’s Un Ballo in maschera for Opera Holland Park, the French conductor Sonia Ben-Santamaria is rapidly establishing herself as one of the UK’s most promising opera conductors.

A trailblazer in her field, Sonia Ben-Santamaria made history as the first female conductor appointed as a Link Artist with the Royal Ballet & Opera House, London. She later became the first Associate Conductor of Opera North – a landmark in the evolving representation of women in classical music in the UK and was chosen to be one of the six female conductors worldwide invited to The Dallas Opera House Hart Institut.

Equally at ease in both the symphonic and operatic repertoires, Sonia has a deep-rooted passion for opera, stemming from her first career as a repetiteur and vocal coach.

Sonia Ben-Santamaria’s guesting conducting highlights include leading, among others: the Dallas Opera Orchestra, London Philharmonic Orchestra, Opera North Orchestra, City of London Sinfonia, Orchestre de la Suisse Romande, Orchestre National du Capitole de Toulouse, Orchestre National de Lille, Opéra Orchestre National de Montpellier and the Orchestre de Chambre de Lausanne. 

▸soniabensantamaria.com ▸@bensantamariasonia

Guest conductor

As part of LGSO’s artistic plans, we will also continue to welcome guest conductors from time to time. We’re thrilled to share that Sam Scheer will take the podium as guest conductor for the April 2027 concert.