Anna-Maria Helsing Conductor General Management
Chief Conductor BBC Concert Orchestra
Chief Conductor Designate Vaasa City Orchestra (from 2025)
Anna-Maria Helsing has gained an outstanding reputation with leading Scandinavian orchestras and opera houses with her special affinity for the sound and style of modernism and contemporary music. She has been appointed as Chief Conductor of BBC Concert Orchestra for three years from 2023/24 further to her highly successful partnership with the orchestra as Principal Guest Conductor since 2020. She will be at the helm of the Vaasa City Orchestra as chief conductor from 2025. From 2010-2013 she was Chief Conductor of the Oulu Symphony. She currently holds the position as Artistic Director of the high-profile chamber music festival Rusk in Jakobstad, Finland.
The Swedish-Finnish conductor has conducted all the major Scandinavian orchestras including Finnish Radio, Kuopio, Swedish Radio, Gothenburg, Malmö, Nörrköping, Stavanger, Trondheim, Odense, Aalborg and Iceland Symphony, Royal Stockholm, Helsinki, Tampere and Arctic Philharmonic, Tapiola Sinfonietta, Lahti Sinfonia, Norwegian Radio Orchestra, Finnish National, Royal Swedish, Gothenburg and Malmö Opera Orchestra.
Furthermore she was at the rostrum of Philharmonia Orchestra, Royal Philharmonic, BBC Philharmonic, Royal Scottish National Orchestra, Barcelona Symphony Orchestra and Musikkollegium Winterthur among others.
Anna-Maria Helsing gave her operatic debut at the Finnish National Opera with Adriana Mater by Kaija Saariaho and has led a number of world premieres, most recently Lisbeta by Karólina Eiriksdottir at Aland Opera, Svitlana Azarova: Momo and the time thieves at Royal Danish Opera, Magnus-Maria by Karólína Eiríksdóttir on tour in Scandinavia.
Furthermore she conducted productions of Mark-Anthony Turnage: Coraline at Folkoperan Stockholm, Leevi Madetoja: The Ostrobothnians and Madame Butterfly at Tampere Opera, Leevi Madetoja: The Ostrobothnians and Olli Kortekangas: Picture of Life at Vaasa Opera, Fredrik Högberg: Stilla min eld and the world premiere of Karólina Eiriksdóttir: Bly at Pitea Chamber Opera, Le Nozze di Figaro at Aland Opera, Cimarosa: Il matrimonio Segreto at Savonlinna Opera Festival and a performance of Nadia Boulanger: La ville morte at Gothenburg Opera (concert version), La Traviata at Icelandic Opera to name but a few.
Upcoming highlights are her debut with Budapest Festival Orchestra and revisits with Finnish Radio Symphony, Helsinki Philharmonic, Trondheim Symphony, Norrköping Symphony, Oulu Symphony, Vaasa City Orchestra, Estonian Sinfonietta, Jönköping Sinfonietta, Norrbotten Chamber Orchestra, Ostrobothnian Chamber Orchestra, Musikkollegium Winterthur among others.
Anna-Maria Helsing began her career as a violinist and completed her studies as conductor at Sibelius Academy Helsinki. In addition she has attended masterclasses with Jorma Panula, Vladimir Jurowski and John Carewe.
Season 2023/24
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Anna-Maria Helsing at rostrum of Norrbotten Chamber Orchestra
Anna-Maria Helsing conducts the Norrbotten Chamber Orchestra from 17-20 April 2024 in four concerts in Pitea, Lulea, Haparanda and Boden. The programme features Anna Clyne: Pivot, Emmy Lindström: Clarinet Concerto No.1 and Brahms: Symphony No. 2.
Anna-Maria Helsing conducts BBC Concert Orchestra
Anna-Maria Helsing conducts the BBC Concert Orchestra in London, Southbank Centre on 17 March 2024 featuring music by Ture Rangström, Wilhelm Stenhammar, Dominique Le Gendre and Sibelius: Finlandia and Symphony No. 1.
Anna-Maria Helsing conducts Joensuu City Orchestra
Anna-Maria Helsing is at rostrum of Joensuu City Orchestra in Joensuu on 8 February to conduct Beethoven: Coriolan Overture, Piano Concerto No. 4 and Brahms: Symphony No. 2.
Anna-Maria Helsing conducts Budapest Festival Orchestra
Anna-Maria Helsing gives her debut with Budapest Festival Orchestra on 4 February 2024 to conduct Sibelius: Symphony No. 1 within a marathon event of orchestras in Budapest.
Anna-Maria Helsing & BBC Concert Orchestra in China
Anna-Maria Helsing conducts the BBC Concert Orchestra on tour in five concerts in Wuhan, Zhuhai, Shenzhen and Xi'an from 29 December 2023 - 6 January 2024. The two programmes encompasses music by Mozart, Elgar, Vaugh Williams, Gounod, Walton, Maxwell Davies among others.
Anna-Maria Helsing conducts Oulu Sinfonia
Anna-Maria Helsing conducts Oulu Sinfonia in Oulu on 7 December 2023 in Oulu featuring Leevi Madetoja: Kullervo op. 15, Kirmo Lintinen: Concerto for accordion, Heivi Leiviskä: Symphony No. 2 and Sibelius: Finlandia.
Anna-Maria Helsing conducts 10 year anniversary concert of Rusk Festival
Anna-Maria Helsing conducts an opera gala within the 10 year anniversary concert of chamber music festival RUSK in
Jakobstad on 25 November 2023 with Vaasa City Orchestra and five soloists. The programme encompasses music by Händel, Mozart, Puccini, Glass, Bernstein, Donizetti, Wagner, Nicola Matteis, Andrea Tarrodi, Boris Pigovat, Wilhelm Stenhammar and Hildur Gudnadottir.
Read moreAnna-Maria Helsing dirigiert Vaasa City Orchestra & Ostrobothnian Chamber Orchestra
Anna-Maria Helsing conducts the Vaasa City Orchestra and Ostrobothnian Chamber Orchestra at opening concert of Rusk Chamber Music Festival in Jakobstad on 22 November 2023. The programme features music by J.H. Roman, Sebastian Hilli, Anna Clyne, Sebastian Fagerlund, Peteris Vasks and Sibelius.
Anna-Maria Helsing: First concert as chief conductor BBC Concert Orchestra
On 12 October 2023 Anna-Maria Helsing conducted her first concert as Chief Conductor of the BBC Concert Orchestra
at Queen Elizabeth Hall in London. The programme encompasses Sibelius: Symphony No. 7, Michael Nyman: Where the Bees Dances and Jimmy López: Symphony No. 3. BBC Radio 3 broadcasts the concert on 25 October, 19:30 (GMT).
Read moreAnna-Maria Helsing at rostrum of Vaasa City Orchestra
Anna-Maria Helsing is at rostrum of Vaasa City Orchestra in Vaasa and Jakobstad on 22 and 23 September 2023 conducting a programme with Sibelius, Bruch, Boris Pigovat and Rautavaara.
Anna-Maria Helsing & BBC Concert Orchestra at BBC Proms in Great Yarmouth
Anna-Maria Helsing conducted the BBC Concert Orchestra at BBC Proms in Great Yarmouth on 8 September 2023.
The programme encompasses music by Ralph Vaughan Williams, Eric Coates, Sarah Rodgers, William Walton, Igor Stravinsky, Andrea Tarrodi, Jimmy Lopez Bellido and Aram Khachaturian.https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m001q16c
Read moreAnna-Maria Helsing: Chief Conductor of BBC Concert Orchestra
Anna-Maria Helsing has been appointed as Chief Conductor of BBC Concert Orchestra for three years from 2023/24 further to her highly successful partnership with the orchestra as Principal Guest Conductor since 2020.
Anna-Maria Helsing debuts with Royal Philharmonic
Anna-Maria Helsing gives her debut with Royal Philharmonic Orchestra in London and Kingston upon Hull on 14 and 15 June 2023. The programme features music by Khachaturian, Tchaikovsky and Mussorgsky.
Anna-Maria Helsing conducts BBC Concert Orchestra on 19 June
Anna-Maria Helsing conducts the BBC Concert Orchestra in London Alexandra Palace on 19 June 2023 with the soloists Lauri Porra and Mari Samuelsen. The programme features music by Vivaldi, Porra, Matteis, Peel, Richter, Clyne, Harle, Prokoviev: Romeo and Juliet (excerpt) as well as Sibelius: Finlandia.
Anna-Maria Helsing conducts Jönköping Sinfonietta
Anna-Maria Helsing is at rostrum of Jönköping Sinfonietta in Jönköping on 4 June 2023 with music by Emmy Lindström and Wilhelm Stenhammar.
Anna-Maria Helsing debuts with Bergen Philharmonic
Anna-Maria Helsing gives her debut with Bergen Philharmonic on 30 May 2023 conducting Anne-Marie Ørbeck: Miniatur Suite “Melody”, Pastorale & Allegro for flute and strings as well as concertino for piano and orchestra at Bergen International Festival.
Anna-Maria Helsing at rostrum of Arctic Philharmonic
On 17 May 2023 Anna-Maria Helsing is at rostrum of Arctic Philharmonic Orchestra in Bodo, Norway to conduct a programme by Allan Johanson, Johan Halvorsen, Edvard Grieg and Elias Blix/Adolf Thomsen.
Anna-Maria Helsing at rostrum of Musikkollegium Winterthur
Anna-Maria Helsing gives her debut with Musikkollegium Winterthur on 13 May 2023 to conduct Jörg Duda: Concerto No. 1 for tuba and orchestra op. 67, Frank Martin: Ballade for alt saxophone, strings, piano and percussion, and Ottorino Respighi: Suite "Gli Uccelli".
Anna-Maria Helsing with Norwegian Radio Orchestra
Anna-Maria Helsing conducts the Norwegian Radio Orchestra in Oslo on 27 April 2023 with music by Olivier Messiaen, Maurice Ravel and Herman Vogt.
Anna-Maria Helsing conducts Västeras Sinfonietta
Anna-Maria Helsing is at rostrum of Västeras Sinfonietta in Västeras and Sundhammar on 20 & 21 April 2023 to conduct Brahms: Serenade No. 2, Jonathan Dove: Sunshine and Katarina Leyman: Viola concerto (world premiere).
Anna-Maria Helsing at Odense Symphony
Anna-Maria Helsing is at rostrum of Odense Symphony on 23 March 2023 to conduct Tchaikovsky: Phantasy Overtüre Romeo and Julia, Dvorak: Violin Concerto and Shostakovich: Symphony No. 1.
Anna-Maria Helsing conducts Finnish Radio Symphony
Anna-Maria Helsing returns to the rostrum of Finnish Radio Symphony at Musica Nova Festival in Helsinki on 10 March
2023. The programme features music by Francisco Coll, Clara Iannotta, Akiko Yamane, Thuridor Jonsdottir and Sampo Haapamäki.
Read moreAnna-Maria Helsing at rostrum of BBC Concert Orchestra
Anna-Maria Helsing conducts the BBC Concert Orchestra at Southbank Centre, Queen Elizabeth Hall in London on 26 February 2023 presenting music by Philipp Glass, Peteris Vasks, Meredi, Hildur Godnadottir, Arvo Pärt and Einojuhani Rautavaara.
Anna-Maria Helsing conducts Kuopio Symphony
Anna-Maria Helsing is at rostrum of Kuopio Symphony Orchestra on 9 February 2023 to conduct music by Anna Clyne, Dorothy Howell as well as Elgar: Enigma Variations.
Anna-Maria Helsing conducts The Ostrobothnians in Vaasa
Anna-Maria Helsing conducts Leevi Madetoja: The Ostrobothnians with the Vaasa Opera on 12 January 2023 (direction: Anna Kelo). Further performances: 14.1, 17.1, 18.1, 20.1, 21.1, 24.1, 25.1, 27.1, 28.1, 31.1, 2.2, 3.2.
Anna-Maria Helsing conducts Lahti Sinfonia
Anna-Maria Helsing conducts Lahti Sinfonia in Lathi and Hämeenlinna on 6, 7 and 8 December 2022 with music by Sauli Sinovjev, Helvi Leiviskä, Matti Rautio, Jean Sibelius and Fredrik Pacius.
Anna-Maria Helsing conducts two Finnish first performances
Anna-Maria Helsing conducts the Finnish first performances of Anna Thorvaldsdottir: AION and Johan Ullén: Bach Infinite with the Ostrobothnian Chamber Orchestra & Vaasa City Orchestra at RUSK Festival in Jakobstad on 25 November 2022.
Anna-Maria Helsing conducts Iceland Symphony
Anna-Maria Helsing returned to the Iceland Symphony Orchestra in Reykjavik on 13 October 2022 within the
Nordic Music Days. The solely symphonic programme features music by Outi Tarkiainen, Idin Samimi Mofakham, Lisa Streich, Gunnar Karel Másson and Jesper Nordin. Audio link: https://www.ruv.is/utvarp/spila/sinfoniutonleikar/27256/a1aiv4
Read moreAnna-Maria Helsing at rostrum of SinfoniaNord Iceland
On 18 September 2022 Anna-Maria Helsing conducts the SinfoniaNord Iceland in Akureyri performing Haydn: Symphony No. 104 D major and Beethoven: Symphony No. 1.
Anna-Maria Helsing at Lahti Symphony
Anna-Maria Helsing is for the first time on the rostrum of Lahti Symphony in Lahti and Hämeenlinna on 19 and 20 May to conduct music by Outi Tarkiainen, Jaakko Kuusisto and Edward Elgar.
Anna-Maria Helsing with BBC Concert Orchestra
Am 5. Mai dirigiert Anna-Maria Helsing das BBC Concert Orchestra in der Queen Elizabeth Hall London mit Werken von Liam Taylor-West Electra Perivolaris, Philip Glass und Jennifer Higdon.
Anna-Maria Helsing conducts Ostrobothnian Chamber Orchestra at RUSK Festival
Anna-Maria Helsing conducts the final concert of the RUSK Chamber Music Festival in Jakobstad, Finland with the Ostrobothnian Chamber Orchestra on 27 November. The programme features music by Wojciech Kilar, Giya Kancheli, Juhani Nuorvala, Anders Hillborg, Kristina Lugn and Ralph Vaughan Williams.
Anna-Maria Helsing conducts La Traviata at Icelandic Opera
Anna-Maria Helsing conducts the revival of La Traviata (direction: Oriol Tomas) at the Icelandic Opera in four performances: 06./07.11. Reykjavik, 13./14. Akureyri.
Anna-Maria Helsing conducts world premiere in Pitea
Anna-Maria Helsing conducts the world premiere of Karolina Eiriksdottir's chamber opera Bly in Pitea, Sweden with Norrbotten Chamber Orchestra and soloists (Regie: Mellika Melouani Melani). Further dates: 26.09. Lycksele, 28.09./29.09. Umea, 05.10. Lulea
Anna-Maria Helsing debuts at BBC Proms
Anna-Maria Helsing gives her debut at BBC Proms with the BBC Concert Orchestra on 6 September. The programme includes music by Einojuhani Rautavaara, Judith Weir, Arvo Pärt, Johann Johannsson, Olivier Messiaen, Mizzy Mazzoli and Samy Moussa.
Anna-Maria Helsing: Principal Guest Conductor of BBC Concert Orchestra until 2024
The BBC Concert Orchestra has extended the tenure of Anna-Maria Helsing as its Principal Guest Conductor until
2024. She conducts four programmes per season. On 6 September 2021 Helsing gives her debut with this orchestra at BBC Proms.
Anna-Maria Helsing at rostrum of Iceland Symphony
Anna-Maria Helsing revisits the Iceland Symphony Orchestra on 20 May in Reykjavik to conduct Mendelssohn: Violin Concerto E minor, Paul Creston: Fantasy for trombone and orchestra as well as arias by Mozart, Verdi, Puccini, Bizet, Sigfús Einarsson etc.
Anna-Maria Helsing conducts Eirikdottir's Lisbeta
Anna-Maria Helsing conducts the new production of Karolina Eiriksdottir's opera Lisbeta at Aland Island Opera (direction: Ida Kronholm) with Estonian Sinfonietta in Mariehamn on 15, 16 and 17 July. Livestream link on 17 July, 18:00 (CET): <link http: www.nipalive.ax>
Anna-Maria Helsing at rostrum of Tampere Philharmonic
Anna-Maria Helsing returns to the Tampere Philharmonic on 29 April, 18:00 (CET) to conduct Franz Berwald: Symphony No. 3 and Leevi Madetoja: Symphony No.3.
Here the link to audio live broadcast: <link www.tamperefilharmonia.fi/konsertit/radiokonsertti-berwald-madetoja/>https://www.tamperefilharmonia.fi/konsertit/radiokonsertti-berwald-madetoja/</link>
Read moreAnna-Maria Helsing conducts Oulu Sinfonia
Anna-Maria Helsing conducts the Oulu Sinfonia on 8 April, 18:00 (CET) with music by Andrea Tarrodi, Kaija Saariaho, Debussy and Mendelssohn. Here the link of the livestream: <link www.youtube.com/watch;https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uX_iGHpwxto</link>
Anna-Maria Helsing at Vaasa City Orchestra
On 15 April, 18:00 (CET) Anna-Maria Helsing conducts the Vaasa City Orchestra featuring Benjamin Britten: Les lluminations, Jonathan Dove: Sunshine (2016) and Haydn:
Symphony No. 92 Oxford. Video livestream (available until 29 April): <link https: www.vaasa.fi en see-and-experience culture-in-vaasa-and-vaasa-region vasa-city-orchestra les-illuminations>
Read moreAnna-Maria Helsing conducts Finnish Radio Symphony
On 10 February Anna-Maria Helsing was at the rostrum of the Finnish Radio Symphony performing at Musica Nova Festival Helsinki. The programme featured
music by Iannis Xenakis, Maija Hynninen, Lisa Streich and Roope Mäenpää: musicanova.fi/en/event/finnish-radio-symphony-orchestra-musica-nova-helsinki/ (available until 9 March)
Read moreAnna-Maria Helsing debuts with Stavanger Symphony
Anna-Maria Helsing gave her debut with the Stavanger Symphony Orchestra on 21 January, 19:30 (CET). The streaming concert will feature Stravinsky Suites No. 1 & 2,
Pulcinella and Rachmaninov Piano Concerto No. 2 with Christian Ihle Hadland as soloist: vimeo.com/503204338
Read moreAnna-Maria Helsing debuts with Royal Scottish National Orchestra
Anna-Maria Helsing gave her debut with the Royal Scottish National Orchestra on 3 December conducting music by Dvorak, Richard Thompson and Florence Price. The
concert will be streamed on 29 January, 19:30 (GMT). <link https: www.rsno.org.uk digital-season _blank>
www.rsno.org.uk/digital-season
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Anna-Maria Helsing at rostrum of Philharmonia Orchestra
Anna-Maria Helsing is at the rostrum of Philharmonia Orchestra at Royal Festival Hall on 12 November, 19:30 to conduct a streamed concert with music by Jessie Montgomery and Felix Mendelssohn.
<link https: philharmonia.co.uk stephen-hough-plays-mendelssohn _blank>
Anna-Maria Helsing leads Rusk Festival in Finland
Anna-Maria Helsing conducts the award-winning Ostrobothnian Chamber Orchestra as Artistic Director of the Rusk Festival in Jakobstad on 21 November, 18:00
(CET) available as livestream: ruskfestival.fi/en
The programme features Wojciech Kilar: Orawa, Giya Kancheli: Silent Prayer, Edward Elgar: Introduction & Allegro op. 47 among others. Read more
Anna-Maria Helsing with BBC Concert Orchestra
On 11 December she conducted the BBC Concert Orchestra with music by Einojuhani Rautavaara, Gerald Finzi, John McCabe and Jocelyn Pook. <link https: www.bbc.co.uk programmes m000q3ck _blank>
(audio available afterwards)Anna-Maria Helsing conducts BBC Concert Orchestra
Anna-Maria Helsing conducted her first concert as Principal Guest Conductor of BBC Concert Orchestra in London Royal Festival Hall on 30 October (19:30 GMT) as live radio
broadcast. The programme features music by Poulenc, Debussy, Nadia Boulanger, Sebastian Fagerlund, Sibelius, Heta Aho and Jimmy López. <link https: www.bbc.co.uk events efwbc8 _blank>
www.bbc.co.uk/events/efwbc8 (available until 29 November)
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Anna-Maria Helsing at rostrum of Iceland Symphony
On 1 April Anna-Maria Helsing is at the rostrum of Iceland Symphony Orchestra in Reykjavik for a performance of Anna Thorvaldsdottir's AION with dancers of the Iceland Dance Company.
Anna-Maria Helsing at Göteborg Opera
Anna-Maria Helsing conducted the first Scandinavian performance of Nadia Boulanger's La ville morte in concert version at Göteborg Opera on 8 March. Hear the broadcast on 4 July, 20:04-23:00 <link https: www.hr2.de programm sendezeiten _blank>
~_date-2020-07-04.htmlAnna-Maria Helsing at rostrum of BBC Concert Orchestra
Anna-Maria Helsing is at the rostrum of BBC Concert Orchestra at London Queen Elizabeth Hall on 22 February to conduct music by Copland, Vivaldi, Piazzolla, Shostakovich, Rimsky-Korsakov, Mozart among others.
Anna-Maria Helsing conducts new production in Stockholm
Anna-Maria Helsing conducts the new production of Mark-Anthony Turnage: Coraline at the Folkoperan Stockholm on 15 February (direction: Aletta Collins). Further dates: 16./ 19./ 23./ 27./ 29.02. and 05.03.
Anna-Maria Helsing conducts Turku Philharmonic
On 31 January Anna-Maria Helsing conducts the Turku Philharmonic with music by Eva Dahlgren for soprano and orchestra.
Anna-Maria Helsing at rostrum of Iceland Symphony
Anna-Maria Helsing returns to the Iceland Symphony Orchestra in Reykjavik on 16 January to conduct a programme with music by Jacques Ibert, Max Bruch, Arne Nordheim and Alexander Arutunian.