Mikko Franck became music director of the Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France in 2015, and throughout his tenure has been deeply committed to nurturing its creative and eclectic style of programming. His initial contract has twice been extended, most recently until September 2025.
Born in Helsinki, Finland, in 1979, Franck began his conducting career at the early age of 17 and has since worked with major orchestras and opera houses across the world. From 2002 to 2007, he was music director of the Belgian National Orchestra, and in 2006, became general music director of Finnish National Opera. The following year, he was appointed artistic director and general music director, a dual position he held until August 2013.
Since taking up his position with the Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France, Franck has led it on tours of Europe, China and South Korea. His considerable discography, consisting of symphonic and operatic works, includes several recordings with the orchestra, most recently “Franck by Franck,” with César Franck’s Symphony in D Minor and his rarely performed symphonic poem, Ce qu’on entend sur la montagne.
In addition to fulfilling a busy concert schedule in Paris, Franck is regularly invited to work with leading orchestras within Europe and beyond. Equally devoted to opera, he has a longstanding relationship with Vienna State Opera, where he has conducted productions of La bohème, Salome, Lohengrin, Elektra, Tosca, La fanciulla del West, Die tote Stadt and Tristan und Isolde.
In February 2018, Franck was nominated as a goodwill ambassador for UNICEF France, and in this capacity has made two field visits to Benin and one to Senegal. Upon his nomination, he stated: “Every child is unique; every life is important. Every child, regardless of their origin, should have the right to live in a safe and healthy environment, to follow their dreams and to realize their full potential.”
Please note: Biographies are based on information provided to the CSO by the artists or their representatives. More current information may be available on websites of the artists or their management.
