Michael Francis, current chief conductor of the Deutschen Staatsphilharmonie Rheinland-Pfalz, is extending his contract for another five years.
Francis has been chief conductor of the Ludwigshafen-based Staatsphilharmonie since the beginning of the 2019/2020 season. He has also been music director of the Florida Orchestra since 2014 and serves as festival music director of the Mainly Mozart Festival in San Diego. In response to the Covid pandemic, he developed new formats together with Deutsche Staatsphilharmonie, Florida Orchestra and Mainly Mozart Festival. These include innovative programming for smaller ensembles, split-orchestra concerts, live streaming, drive-in concerts, educational videos and curated online experiences.
Culture Minister Katharina Binz:
"Michael Francis is a compelling music director who has developed the Staatsphilharmonie into an outstanding orchestra in recent years."
Chief Conductor Michael Francis:
"I look forward to another five years with the Deutsche Staatsphilharmonie. The fact that we can touch so many people here as an orchestra with our music drives me and fulfills me greatly.”