Risto Joost appointed new Chief Conductor of the Kuopio Symphony Orchestra

Published 30.03.2026

Joost will begin as Chief Conductor in autumn 2027

The Estonian conductor Risto Joost has been selected as the new Chief Conductor of the Kuopio Symphony Orchestra. Joost’s contract as Chief Conductor spans two years, with an option for a one‑year extension. “I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to work more closely with the Kuopio Symphony Orchestra during the 2027–2029 seasons. I believe we share a strong desire to explore together the insights of Western classical masters as well as the Finnish repertoire. I’m also very happy to return to Kuopio next season, ahead of the official start of our collaboration. I look forward to meeting audiences and colleagues again very soon at the concerts”, Joost describes.

The Estonian conductor Risto Joost has gained widespread recognition for his work both in the opera pit and on concert stage. He has already held major artistic positions such as Chief Conductor of the Tallinn Chamber Orchestra and longstanding conductor of the Estonian National Opera. Joost is a sought-after guest conductor with orchestras such as the Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra, Tampere Philharmonic Orchestra, Turku Philharmonic Orchestra, Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra, Norwegian National Opera Orchestra, and Latvian National Symphony Orchestra.

Joost has studied at the Estonian Academy of Music and received further training at the

University for Music and Performing Arts in Vienna. In 2008, he graduated from the Royal College of Music in Stockholm with a Masters Degree, majoring in orchestral conducting with Jorma Panula. In 1999 Risto Joost founded the chamber choir Voces Musicales/Voces Tallinn and has been Artistic Director of the Birgitta Festival Tallinn in 2017 and 2018. For his artistic activities in Estonia and abroad, Risto Joost received the music award of the Cultural Foundation in Estonia in 2016.

The selection process for the new Chief Conductor began this spring and included consultation with the musicians and the artistic committee of the KSO. “Our new Chief Conductor is a versatile top professional whose modern and openly approachable style will support the orchestra’s development excellently. We are eagerly looking forward to working with Risto Joost,” says Anu Lampela, Director of the Kuopio Symphony Orchestra and Kuopio Music Centre.

Until spring 2027, Kolja Blacher and Eugene Tzigane will continue as First Conductors of the KSO and Atso Almila as Second Conductor.

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KUOPIO SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
Producer & Publicity Manager Elina Prepula, tel. 044 718 2364, elina.prepula(at)kuopio.fi
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