Simone Young

Australian Conductor and Opera Director

Simone Young is an esteemed Australian conductor known for her extensive work in both the operatic and symphonic realms. Born in Sydney on March 2, 1961, she has established a significant international career, leading numerous prestigious orchestras and opera houses around the world. Young became particularly well-known for her tenure as the General Manager and Music Director at the Hamburg State Opera and Chief Conductor of the Philharmoniker Hamburg from 2005 to 2015. Her repertoire is vast, encompassing a wide range of classical music, but she is especially recognized for her interpretations of German Romantic and late-Romantic composers, such as Richard Wagner and Richard Strauss. Young has made several recordings throughout her career, which may include works such as symphonies by Gustav Mahler among others. Her contributions to classical music have been acknowledged with multiple awards and honors, reflecting her status as one of the leading conductors of her generation.