Jordan de Souza

Hailed by the New York Times as one of “the new generation leading Berlin’s classical music scene”, Canadian conductor Jordan de Souza earned this distinction while serving as First Kapellmeister of the Komische Oper Berlin from 2017-2020.  During this term, he collaborated with renowned director Barrie Kosky on four critically acclaimed new productions: Pelléas et Mélisande, La bohème, Candide, and Weinberger’s Frühlingsstürme. Their partnership continues this autumn in a new production of Gluck’s Iphigenia auf Tauris. Debuts in the 20-21 season begin with Die Zauberflöte at the Bayerische Staatsoper (Munich), and continue with Les contes d’Hoffmann at Gran Teatre del Liceu (Barcelona), and Don Quichotte at the Deutsche Oper Berlin.  Symphonic concerts include a return to the Orchestre symphonique et lyrique de Nancy (France) in a programme of Brahms and Schumann, and a debut with the Orchestre Symphonique de Québec in a programme of Tchaikovsky and Zemlinsky.

Recent highlights have included debuts with the Adelaide Symphony, Auckland Philharmonia, Houston Grand Opera, the Hannover Staatsorchester, and a reinvitation with the Orchestre Métropolitain. In 2017-18, Jordan conducted 28 performances of Carmen with the Vienna Symphony Orchestra in a highly successful production at the Bregenzer Festspiele. His repertoire at the Komische Oper included Don Giovanni, La Traviata, Petrushka, L’Enfant et les sortilèges, Eugene Onegin, Il Barbiere di Siviglia, Mussorgsky’s Sorochintsy Fair, and a broad range of concerts including lesser known works by Franz Schreker, Kurt Weill, Fazil Say, and William Grant Still.

Born in Toronto, Jordan attended St. Michael’s Choir School and McGill University in Montreal. He made his conducting debut at age 20 with Bach’s St. John Passion and, following graduation, he joined the McGill music faculty from 2011 to 2015.  During these years he conducted several oratorios including the St. Matthew Passion, Christmas Oratorio, Mass in B-Minor, and the Requiems of Verdi, Mozart, and Fauré. Jordan made his debut in 2015 with the Canadian Opera Company, conducting their Claus Guth production of Le nozze di Figaro. He also served as Conductor in Residence of Tapestry Opera in Toronto, developing and conducting the world premieres of three full-length operas.

Future seasons will include debuts with Opernhaus Zürich, Chicago Lyric Opera and, following his debut with the London Philharmonic Orchestra in the Glyndebourne Cup in 2020, he has been invited to conduct a new production at the 2022 Glyndebourne Festival.