Finnish conductor Maria Itkonen is a versatile conductor who enjoys conducting symphony orchestras, contemporary ensembles and opera. Her fall 2022 include debut concerts with the ensemble of the Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra, Tampere Philharmonic Orchestra and Turku Philharmonic Orchestra. She makes her opera debut in September 2022 at the Folkoperan in Stockholm conducting Norma. 

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Itkonen has studied conducting in Finland at Panula- Academy with professor Jorma Panula, and at The Royal College of Music Stockholm. She has taken part on master classes at The Royal Opera House London and Jukka- Pekka Saraste’s LEAD!- Academy.

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Before she started conducting, Itkonen has been regularly working as a guest concertmaster in leading European orchestras such as WDR Sinfonieorchester Köln and Lucern Symphony Orchestra. She has held a permanent concertmaster position in Tampere Philharmonic Orchestra and Kuopio Symphony Orchestra.

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She was born in Joutseno Finland, and started her music studies at the age of 6. Itkonen has studied violin in Sibelius Academy, Universität für Musik und darstellende Kunst Wien and Amsterdam Conservatory.

 

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