Iván Fischer
studied piano, violin, cello and composition in Budapest. He went on to Vienna where he studied orchestral conducting with Hans Swarowsky. Subsequently he was Nikolaus Harnoncourt’s assistant for two seasons.

In 1983 Mr Fischer founded the Budapest Festival Orchestra. With this ensemble, of which he is still chief conductor, he introduced many innovations, such as the famous ‘Cocoa Concerts’ for young children, the ‘Midnight Music’ concerts for young audiences, surprise concerts without any announced programmes, and several education and outreach projects including a tour of former synagogues.

In the past Iván Fischer was Music Director at Kent Opera, Opéra National de Lyon, Principal Conductor of the National Symphony Orchestra in Washington, and chief conductor of the Konzerthausorchester Berlin, which named him honorary conductor.

He is active as a composer and as opera director for his Iván Fischer Opera Company. He is also the founder of several festivals, including the Vicenza Opera Festival.

His critically acclaimed CD recordings for Channel Classics received many prizes.Iván Fischer received the prestigious Kossuth Prize, the Ovation Prize, and the World Economic Forum’s Crystal Award for his support of international cultural exchange. He was named Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres and made an honorary member of the Royal Academy of Music in London.

Iván Fischer limits his guest conducting appearances to only three to four orchestras worldwide, in order to spend enough time and attention to his work as a composer, his Budapest Festival Orchestra, his opera company and the continuous development of creative ideas. He is a well-known advocate of human rights, democracy and tolerance.

Maestro Fischer has made guest appearances with the Concertgebouworkest almost every year since 1987. On 24, 25 and 26 June 2020, he presided over the Ammodo conducting masterclass. On 23 October 2020, the orchestra appointed him honorary guest conductor with effect from the 2021/22 season.