Mahler: Symphony No.1 in D major, "Titan" (last movement)
Orchestre Philharmonique Royal de Liège
2023
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Biography
Described by The Guardian as an “impressive, authoritative conductor”, Gergely Madaras is praised for his “unusual tenderness and flexibility” (The Telegraph) and performances in which “he turned the orchestra into an entire world” (The Times). The Hungarian conductor was recently named ‘Conductor of the Year’ at the Bartók Radio Awards.
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In the 2026/27 season, Gergely appears as guest conductor with 28 orchestras across 16 countries. Highlights include debuts with the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra, Orchestre symphonique de Montréal, SWR Symphonieorchester, NDR Radiophilharmonie Hannover and Korean National Symphony Orchestra, alongside returns to the London Philharmonic, Royal Philharmonic, Dresden Philharmonic, Norwegian Radio and WDR Symphonieorchester, as well as to the Hungarian State Opera.
His international career has brought him to orchestras including Staatskapelle Dresden, the Budapest Festival Orchestra, Philharmonia Orchestra, NHK Symphony Orchestra, NDR Elbphilharmonie-Orchester, Bamberger Symphoniker, Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin, Tonhalle-Orchester Zürich, Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France, and the Oslo and Hong Kong Philharmonics. He also appeared with Il Pomo d’Oro and Joyce DiDonato at Amsterdam’s Concertgebouw as part of the ‘EDEN’ tour. (Click READ MORE for the full list of conducted orchestras)
An equally compelling presence in the opera house, Gergely was the inaugural Sir Charles Mackerras Fellow at English National Opera. Since his debut at ENO, he has led critically acclaimed productions at Dutch National Opera, La Monnaie, Grand Théâtre de Genève, Welsh National Opera and Hungarian State Opera.
Gergely served as Music Director of the Orchestre Philharmonique Royal de Liège from 2019 to 2025, forging a close artistic partnership with the orchestra and its city, which recently named him an Honorary Citizen in recognition of his successful tenure. He previously held the positions of Music Director of Orchestre Dijon Bourgogne (2013–19) and Chief Conductor of the Savaria Symphony Orchestra (2014–20).
Born in Budapest in 1984, Gergely began studying folk music at the age of five with the last generation of authentic Hungarian Gypsy and peasant musicians. He subsequently studied classical flute, violin and composition, graduating in flute performance from the Liszt Academy in Budapest and in conducting from the University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna, where he studied with Mark Stringer.
Upcoming
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october 03, 2026
Dresden Philharmonic
Kulturpalast Dresden - 18:00
WEBER: Der Freischütz – Ouverture
BARTÓK: Piano concerto Nr. 1
BRAHMS: Symphony in F Major Nr. 3Dresden Philharmonic
Anna Vinnitskaya – piano
Gergely Madaras – conductor
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october 04, 2026
Dresden Philharmonic
Kulturpalast Dresden - 11:00
WEBER: Der Freischütz – Ouverture
BARTÓK: Piano concerto Nr. 1
BRAHMS: Symphony in F Major Nr. 3Dresden Philharmonic
Anna Vinnitskaya – piano
Gergely Madaras – conductor
More info Tickets -
october 10, 2026
National Symphony of Uzbekistan
Tashkent Concert Hall
Repertoire TBC
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october 15, 2026
Orchestre National de Mulhouse
La Filature, Mulhouse - 20:00
RACHMANINOFF
Youth Symphony in D Minor
Piano concerto Nr. 2 in C Minor, Op. 18
Symphony No.2 in E Minor, Op. 27Orchestre National de Mulhouse
Alexandre Kantorow – piano
Gergely Madaras – conductor
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“Excitement? Absolutely. Madaras is a master of whipping up a brilliant ending.”
The Times
The Times
- “Excitement? Absolutely. Madaras is a master of whipping up a brilliant ending.”
The Times - “…A rising star to watch…”
iNews - "Gergely Madaras was the impressive, authoritative conductor, keeping a grip on this seething multicoloured ocean of orchestral sound"
The Guardian - "Gergely Madaras did a wonderful job conducting. (...) he turned the orchestra into an entire world"
The Times - "His is a name to watch."
Financial Times - "...Spirited conducting from Gergely Madaras ensures that everything works musically as it should..."
The Independent - "...The conductor Gergely Madaras was terrific (...) - energizing an orchestra in a raised pit..."
The Telegraph - "...Musically there is magic too, (...) the clean, spirited playing under Gergely Madaras delivered crisply and directly..."
Musical America
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Featured review
“The ensemble, led by Gergely Madaras, is extremely skilled in its ability to dose. It can wonderfully modulate between sensuality and coolness, warmth and clarity, mind and spirit.”
(Süddeutsche Zeitung)
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