KenshoWatanabe

Critically acclaimed for “a combination of authority, charisma, and technical aplomb rarely found in a young conductor,” (Seen and Heard International) Kensho Watanabe is establishing himself internationally as an artist known for his collaborative leadership and intelligently-crafted performances.

Watanabe's 2024/25 season includes his return to the Metropolitan Opera for La bohème "The entire production felt magical because of his conducting - Watanabe's midas touch" (OperaWire, Dec 2024) as well as his debut at Suntory Hall with Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra and six further concerts with them in a variety of repertoire across March 2025, his debut with Calgary Philharmonic and Opera Theatre St Louis (Don Pasquale) and a return to the Minnesota Orchestra including Brahms' Second Symphony.

Recent opera highlights include The Metropolitan Opera with Kevin Puts’ The Hours and Terrence Blanchard’s Champion as well as his Detroit Opera debut with Madame Butterfly and La bohème at Spoleto Festival. He has also previously worked with the Curtis Opera Theatre, the Castleton Festival, and Opéra de Montréal. The 2022-23 season saw Watanabe’s subscription return to the Philadelphia Orchestra, with whom he maintains a close relationship following his tenure as Assistant Conductor.

Other symphonic highlights include Watanabe’s debuts with the London Philharmonic, Scottish Chamber Orchestra, Orchestre National du Capitole de Toulouse, Turku Philharmonic, Edmonton Symphony and his Polish debut with Filarmonia Szczecin. Watanabe has also enjoyed collaborations with the Houston and Detroit Symphony Orchestras, Brussels Philharmonic, BBC National Orchestra of Wales, RTE Concert Orchestra, the Seiji Ozawa Matsumoto Festival, and Orchestre Métropolitain in Montreal.