Michael Francis (conductor)

Michael Francis (born 1976[1]) is a British conductor.

Biography

Francis learnt the double bass as a youth. He was a member of the European Union Youth Orchestra, and graduated in 1997 from the Cardiff University School of Music. He played the double bass for the London Symphony Orchestra before he began conducting.[2] His first public performance as conductor of a major orchestra occurred in January 2007 when he deputised for Valery Gergiev.

In Europe, Francis became chief conductor and artistic adviser to the Norrköping Symphony Orchestra in 2012, and held the post through 2016.[3] In December 2016, Francis first guest-conducted the Staatsphilharmonie Rheinland-Pfalz.[4] In December 2018, the Staatsphilharmonie Rheinland-Pfalz announced the appointment of Francis as its next chief conductor, effective with the 2019-2020 season, with an initial contract of 5 years.[1][5] In March 2023, the orchestra announced a five-year extension of Francis' contract as chief conductor with the Staatsphilharmonie Rheinland-Pfalz.[6][7]

In the USA, Francis became music director of The Florida Orchestra as of the 2015-2016 season, with an initial contract of 3 years.[8] He received a contract extension to remain with The Florida Orchestra through 2025.[4] In February 2024, it was announced that Francis received an additional contract extension and would remain with The Florida Orchestra through at least the 2029-2030 season.[9] He became music director of the Mainly Mozart Festival (San Diego, California, USA) in the summer of 2015.[1]

Francis lives in Florida with his American wife Cindy and their daughter.[10]

References

  1. ^ a b c "Ludwigshafen – Michael Francis wird neuer Chefdirigent der Deutschen Staatsphilharmonie Rheinland-Pfalz". Metropolregion Rhein-Neckar News. 6 December 2018. Retrieved 6 January 2019.
  2. ^ "BBC News - Conductor Michael Francis joins BBC National Orchestra of Wales tour". BBC News. 19 October 2013. Retrieved 25 June 2014.
  3. ^ Pauli Olavi Kuivanen (11 May 2016). "Michael Francis lämnar SON efter fyra år". Norrköpings Tidningar. Retrieved 6 January 2019.
  4. ^ a b Susan Giles Wantuck (13 December 2018). "Florida Orchestra Music Director Takes On Additional Conducting Job in Germany". WUSF Public Media. Retrieved 6 January 2019.
  5. ^ Johanna Dupré (December 2018). "Michael Francis wird Chefdirigent der Staatsphilharmonie". Wormser Zeitung. Retrieved 6 January 2019.
  6. ^ "Michael Francis weiter Chefdirigent an Deutscher Staatsphilharmonie Rheinland-Pfalz". Mannheimer Morgen. 28 March 2023. Retrieved 3 April 2023.
  7. ^ "Michael Francis extends his contract with Deutsche Staatsphilharmonie Rheinland-Pfalz" (Press release). KD Schmid. 30 March 2023. Retrieved 3 April 2023.
  8. ^ Stephanie Hayes (24 June 2014). "Florida Orchestra names Michael Francis new music director". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved 25 June 2014.
  9. ^ "Michael Francis is here to stay through 2030". The Florida Orchestra. 15 February 2024. Retrieved 5 March 2024.
  10. ^ Stephanie Hayes (21 October 2014). "Florida Orchestra's Michael Francis talks making music and a home". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved 6 January 2019.
Cultural offices
Preceded by Principal Conductor, Norrköping Symphony Orchestra
2012–2016 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Music Director, Florida Orchestra
2015–present 		Succeeded by
incumbent
Preceded by Principal Conductor, Staatsphilharmonie Rheinland-Pfalz
2019–present 		Succeeded by
incumbent