Nicholas Milton
Conductor
Renowned for his charismatic stage presence, powerful interpretations and compelling musical integrity, Nicholas Milton continues to attract international attention as one of the most outstanding Australian conductors working today. In August 2018, he commenced an appointment as Artistic Director and Chief Conductor of the Göttingen Symphony Orchestra. As Chief Conductor in Göttingen, Nicholas Milton conducts repertoire extending from the Baroque through to wildly popular crossover and open-air events for tens of thousands of enthusiastic concertgoers.
In 2021, he commenced an appointment as Chief Conductor of the State Opera House in Klagenfurt, Austria. His first opera production as Chief Conductor in Carinthia’s state opera house was a critically acclaimed Die Walküre, part of a brand new production of Wagner’s Ring Cycle (Stage director, Aron Stiehl). In his previous position as General Music Director and Chief Conductor of the State Opera House in Saarbrücken, Germany (Saarländisches Staatstheater) (2014 – 2018) and as a guest conductor during the last seasons at the Deutsche Oper and Komische Oper (Berlin), Volksoper (Vienna), and in Dortmund, Leipzig, Linz, Innsbruck and Sydney, Nicholas Milton’s repertoire has included Tannhäuser, Der fliegende Holländer, Salome, Peter Grimes, Kátja Kabanová, Tosca, La bohème, Madama Butterfly, La Fanciulla del West and many others.
Concert engagements include appearances with several leading orchestras in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, England, Hungary, France, Spain, The Netherlands and Asia – London Philharmonic Orchestra, Konzerthausorchester Berlin, NDR Sinfonieorchester Hamburg and Radiophilharmonie Hannover, SWR Radio Sinfonieorchester Stuttgart, Deutsche Radio Philharmonie Saarbrücken, Stuttgart Philharmonic, Dortmund Philharmonic, Staatsorchester Wiesbaden, Staatsorchester Darmstadt and many others.
Appointed as the youngest-ever concertmaster of a major Australian orchestra, Nicholas Milton enjoyed a distinguished career as a violinist and chamber musician before dedicating himself exclusively to conducting. He was Concertmaster and Associate Conductor of the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra and Violinist, for eight years, of Australia’s renowned Macquarie Trio. Since 2001, he has been Chief Conductor and Artistic Director of the Willoughby Symphony Orchestra (Sydney) and, since 2007, Chief Conductor and Artistic Director of the Canberra Symphony Orchestra. He has recently been appointed Principal Guest Conductor of the Norddeutsche Philharmonie (Rostock).
Nicholas Milton’s discography includes about 50 CD recordings. He was nominated for a 2016 Grammy Award in the category, Best Classical Instrumental Solo, for his recording with Joseph Moog of Piano Concertos by Grieg and Moszkowski.
In 2016, he was named a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for Significant Service to the Arts as Musician, Conductor and Artistic Director.