One of the world’s most prestigious opera houses has its first Asian conductor

South Korean conductor Myung-Whun Chung has been named the next music director of Milan’s famed Teatro alla Scala, becoming the first Asian and one of the first born outside Italy to hold the position in the opera house’s 247-year history. The appointment, announced on May 12, will take effect at the end of 2026, following the conclusion of Riccardo Chailly’s tenure, and will run through February 2030.

Longstanding ties: Chung, 72, has maintained a close relationship with La Scala since 1989, conducting nine operas across 84 performances and leading 141 concerts—more than any conductor not previously holding the music director title. He has also led the La Scala Philharmonic on international tours throughout Europe and Asia. La Scala praised Chung for enhancing the opera house’s international prestige.

Distinguished career: Chung’s career includes leadership roles with the Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France, the Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra, and the Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra. He has also served as artistic director of the Busan Opera and Concert Hall in South Korea.