Michel Plasson (born October 2, 1933, in Paris) is an iconic figure on the international musical scene and a benchmark in orchestral conducting. Since December 2020, he has held the title of Honorary Conductor of the Royal Seville Symphony Orchestra (ROSS), further solidifying his
connection with this distinguished Spanish ensemble. Renowned for his deep commitment to French music and his ability to transform orchestras, Plasson has left an indelible mark on the history of classical music.

Professional Career

Michel Plasson began his musical training in Paris, where he studied piano with Lazare Lévy and later completed his education at the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique de Paris, earning a First Prize. His career took a decisive turn in 1962 when he won the prestigious Besançon
International Conducting Competition. Subsequently, he deepened his knowledge by working with renowned conductors such as Leopold Stokowski, Pierre Monteux, and Erich Leinsdorf at the Tanglewood Music Festival in the United States.

In 1965, he assumed the direction of the Opéra de Metz, and in 1968, he was appointed Principal Conductor of the Théâtre du Capitole de Toulouse. Over more than three decades, he transformed the Orchestre du Capitole into one of France’s leading ensembles, also serving as the theater’s Artistic Director. His work in Toulouse included the inauguration of an auditorium with exceptional acoustics, a project he himself championed, further enhancing the orchestra’s international reputation.

As a guest conductor, Plasson has worked with prestigious institutions such as the Paris Opera, the Metropolitan Opera in New York, the Aix-en-Provence Festival, and the Royal Opera House in London, among many others. He also collaborated with the China National Symphony Orchestra as Principal Guest Conductor, leading international tours across Europe and Asia. Between 1994 and 1999, he served as Principal Conductor of the Dresden Philharmonic, further expanding his influence in the symphonic world.

Artistic Contributions

Michel Plasson has been a passionate advocate for French music, dedicating his career to the recovery and dissemination of his country’s musical heritage. His profound understanding of composers such as Berlioz, Massenet, Saint-Saëns, and Gounod has enabled him to interpret masterpieces with a unique sensitivity, highlighting the emotional depth and technical brilliance of these works.

He is particularly renowned for his work on Hector Berlioz’s dramatic compositions, such as La Damnation de Faust and Les Troyens, which he presented with an imaginative theatrical approach that transcends the need for elaborate staging. Plasson was also a steadfast promoter of lesserknown composers like Albert Roussel, emphasizing the vitality and luminosity of his music in contrast to darker influences such as Hindemith.

His extensive recordings with the EMI label cemented his reputation as the “quintessential French musician,” capturing in his recordings a technical precision and stylistic fidelity that underscore the spirit of French music. Beyond his native country, his conducting style—marked by emotional clarity and profound respect for the classical repertoire—has earned him international acclaim as a traditionalist committed to interpretative purity.

Relationship with the Royal Seville Symphony Orchestra

Since December 2020, Michel Plasson has held the title of Honorary Conductor of the Royal Seville Symphony Orchestra (ROSS), solidifying a relationship that dates back to his debut with the orchestra in 2006. His appointment not only recognizes his extraordinary career but also the positive impact he has had on the ROSS’s seasons, where he has been one of the most frequent and acclaimed guest conductors in recent years.

The French maestro has conducted the Symphony Orchestra on six occasions as part of its subscription season, in addition to two opera productions at the Teatro de la Maestranza: Gounod’s Romeo and Juliet (2006/07) and Massenet’s Werther (2007/08). His veteran expertise, prestige, and deep knowledge of the classical repertoire place him on par with other great maestros of his generation, such as Herbert Blomstedt and Bernard Haitink, earning him the respect of the audience, critics, and the musicians of the ROSS.

This connection also brings artistic enrichment to the orchestra, which benefits from his vast experience as a leading figure in the French repertoire, a legacy solidified through more than a hundred recordings. His guidance and presence in the ROSS seasons strengthen this bond and his commitment to the orchestra’s musical excellence.