After a decade at the helm of one of Monaco’s most prestigious cultural institutions, Kazuki Yamada will part ways with the Monte-Carlo Philharmonic Orchestra (OPMC) at the end of his current contract in August 2026.
The decision, confirmed by the OPMC in a statement shared via social media, follows Yamada’s recent appointment as principal conductor and artistic director of the Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester in Berlin. Set to begin in the 2026–2027 season, his new role marks a significant chapter in the Japanese conductor’s already illustrious career.
Yamada, who trained at the Salzburg Mozarteum and under Charles Dutoit with the NHK Symphony Orchestra, first took up his position in Monaco in 2016. Over the past nine years, he has become a central figure in the Principality’s musical landscape, praised for his deep engagement with the orchestra’s programming and his strong connections to Monaco’s cultural institutions. The OPMC lauded his contribution, stating that his leadership had been instrumental in enhancing the quality and international reputation of Monaco’s musical offering.
His exit will coincide with his move to Berlin, where he will succeed Robin Ticciati at the DSO, following Ticciati’s tenure from 2017 to 2024. Yamada already resides in the German capital and is expected to bring his characteristically expressive style to a new audience.
In parallel, Yamada will continue as music director of the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, a role he assumed in 2023. Notably, he was the first non-European to lead the CBSO, and his contract there has been extended through to the 2028–2029 season.
The OPMC has already begun its search for a new artistic director to guide the orchestra into its next era.
