Donatella Flick LSO Conducting Competition

In 1990, Donatella Flick founded her Conducting Competition to offer much-needed support to young conductors at the start of their careers. She remains at the helm of the Competition working with a small team and in partnership with the London Symphony Orchestra to present the Competition every two years.

About the Competition

The Donatella Flick LSO Conducting Competition aims to help emerging young conductors establish an international conducting career, bridging the gap between conservatoire training and professional life. In 1996 a unique partnership with the London Symphony Orchestra was forged and since 2012 the administration of the competition has been undertaken by the LSO.

In addition to an award of £15,000, the winner of the Competition is offered the opportunity to become Assistant Conductor with the London Symphony Orchestra for up to one year. During this time with the LSO the successful conductor will work with the LSO’s Principal and guest conductors on the preparation of concerts, often on the assessment of new scores, take part in the LSO’s education and outreach programme, LSO Discovery, accompany the orchestra on tour and, should the opportunity arise, conduct the LSO in concert.

The competition is open to conductors aged 30 or under who are citizens of the countries with full membership of the European Union, plus those in Norway, Iceland, Lichtenstein, Switzerland and the UK.

For more information about the Competition and details of past winners visit the Donatella Flick LSO Conducting Competition website.

The 2023 Competition

The 17th Donatella Flick LSO Conducting Competition took place in March 2023. 25-year-old Italian-German conductor Nicolò Foron was announced as the winner following three days of competition and incredible music-making at LSO St Luke’s, London.

Full details about the 2023 Competition can be found on the Donatella Flick LSO Conducting Competition website.

Header image © Mark Allan