The Seattle Symphony has announced that Xian Zhang will become its next music director.

Zhang will begin her five-year term in the 2025-26 season. She is currently the first female Music Director of the New Jersey Symphony and has been a significant collaborator with the Seattle Symphony since her debut with the ensemble in 2008.

“I am thrilled to become the Seattle Symphony’s next Music Director and to continue working with this extraordinary orchestra,” Zhang said in a press release. She is also the Conductor Emeritus of the Orchestra Sinfonica di Milano and the first woman to lead any Italian symphony orchestra. “The Symphony’s exceptional talent and its commitment to presenting new music have long inspired me. Joining the Seattle Symphony feels like coming home. From my debut at Benaroya Hall in 2008 to our collaboration in 2020 during the orchestra’s return to live performances, I have felt a special connection with these remarkable musicians. Seattle’s stunning landscapes and the community’s strong support for the arts make visiting a true pleasure.”

As Music Director, Zhang is eager to deepen her connection with audiences, share inspiring concerts, and explore new music at Benaroya Hall, which she considers one of her favorite venues. She expressed gratitude to the Seattle Symphony’s musicians, board members, and staff for their past collaborations and looks forward to a promising future together.

In the 2024-25 season, Zhang will lead the Symphony in performances of “Holst’s The Planets: An HD Odyssey” in March 2025, as well as Beethoven’s Violin Concerto and Prokofiev’s Fifth Symphony in June 2025.