Korean maestro to lead the prestigious 247-year-old opera house starting 2027
In a historic move, Teatro alla Scala in Milan announced South Korean conductor Chung Myung-whun as its next music director Monday, appointing the first Asian musician to the post in the opera house’s 247-year history.
Chung, 72, will take up the position following the conclusion of Riccardo Chailly’s tenure at the end of 2026 and will serve through February 2030. His appointment was unanimously approved by La Scala’s board of directors during a meeting Monday.
“Over the years, Maestro Chung has developed a particularly close relationship with the Orchestra and Chorus of Teatro alla Scala, as well as with the Filarmonica della Scala, which has appointed him Honorary Conductor,” the Italian opera theater's Instagram post said.
“He is among the most cherished artists by the Milanese audience, and he is also the conductor who has most contributed to the international reputation of the Teatro — aside from those who held the position of Music Director — like his mentor, Carlo Maria Giulini, who led the Filarmonica’s first tours," the statement added.
Chung follows a distinguished line of predecessors. Riccardo Chailly has served as Music Director since 2017 and will step down in 2026. Daniel Barenboim held the position from 2011 to 2014, Riccardo Muti served from 1986 to 2005 and Claudio Abbado held the post from 1968 to 1986.
Since 1989, Chung has conducted nine operas across 84 performances and led 141 concerts, making him the most frequently engaged conductor outside of La Scala’s official music directors, according to the theater.
Beyond his long-standing relationship with La Scala, he has held major posts with leading orchestras including the Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra, the Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France, Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra and the Korean Broadcasting System Symphony Orchestra. In 2023, he was named the first-ever Conductor Emeritus of the Filarmonica della Scala.
In 2023, Chung was appointed artistic director of Classic Busan, a municipal office of Busan Metropolitan City responsible for operating Busan Concert Hall and Busan Opera House.
The 2,011-seat Busan Concert Hall is set to open June 20 with an opening festival. Chung will lead the Asia Philharmonic Orchestra to perform Beethoven’s “Triple Concerto” and Symphony No. 9 “Choral," featuring violinist Sayaka Shoji and cellist Jian Wang. The APO is a project orchestra formed for the opening of Busan Concert Hall and comprises Asian musicians who are members of internationally acclaimed orchestras.
gypark@heraldcorp.com
