Following two successful terms as Principal Conductor, Dinis Sousa has been awarded a contract extension by the Royal Northern Sinfonia and an enhanced role as Music Director which will see him continue his acclaimed leadership of the orchestra through 2030. Since joining in April 2021, Sousa has injected fresh energy into the Royal Northern Sinfonia with bold programming and memorable, critically praised performances. In the course of the current season he has also received a Critics’ Circle Young Talent Award, been nominated for an RPS Award, and made a series of highly successful debuts with orchestras including the BBC Symphony, Bergen Philharmonic and Royal Liverpool Philharmonic.
Sousa is a passionate interpreter of the chamber orchestra repertoire, with a recent 5* review of his Beethoven cycle at the Philharmonie de Paris praising his ‘thrilling’ and ‘unforgettable’ performances. He brings this same commitment to his work with young people and community groups, and in 25/26 will start a new mass participation project with Dance United Yorkshire and North East schools.
As Music Director, Sousa will cement Royal Northern Sinfonia’s reputation as one of the world’s leading chamber orchestras. He celebrates his expanded role with the orchestra conducting their 2025 BBC Proms appearance at The Glasshouse International Centre for Music on 26 July. The programme includes Bach’s Keyboard Concerto in D minor, BWV 1052 with soloist David Fray; and Mendelssohn’s Symphony No. 2 in B flat major, “Lobgesang” with mezzo-soprano Adèle Charvet, tenor Benjamin Hulett, the Voices of the River’s Edge and the Huddersfield Choral Society.
His concerts in 25/26 form the spine of the orchestra’s season, weaving together collaborations with great artists like Bryn Terfel (bass-baritone) and Imogen Cooper (piano) with well-loved masterpieces of the classical repertoire – Mozart, Beethoven and Tchaikovsky – and contemporary greats György Kurtág and Sofia Gubaidulina. Sousa also leads a special Sage Two concert celebrating the endlessly inventive Luciano Berio, a composer whose work was shaped by classical tradition as well as folk, electronic and popular music influences – including The Beatles. Sousa closes the season in June with a very special celebration of Mozart, conducting Imogen Cooper and Paul Lewis in a programme featuring the composer’s final piano concerto and the joyful Concerto for Two Pianos – bringing together grace, warmth and virtuosity in one final flourish.
Reflecting on his extended tenure, Sousa said:
“Royal Northern Sinfonia is a truly special orchestra, and working with them is always an inspiration. I feel our bond gets stronger and stronger with each project, and I am incredibly happy that we get to extend our time together until the start of the next decade. They are such an open and generous group of musicians who have an amazing ability to connect with everyone. This special spirit means that we can continue to build an even bigger community around classical music at The Glasshouse, and beyond. I’m really excited for the years ahead – continuing to explore, challenge, and share incredible music together.”
James Thomas, Executive Director of Royal Northern Sinfonia and Classical Music at The Glasshouse, added:
“This season marks an exciting step forward for classical music at The Glasshouse. It brings together an extraordinary mix of artists, projects and partnerships – from Dinis’s inspiring leadership and new collaborations to the arrival of Sinfonia of London, and brilliant performances across our halls. This season brings together so many things we care about – great music, inspiring artists and projects that build deeper connections with audiences here in the North East. There’s a huge amount to look forward to.”
Currently celebrating its 20th anniversary, The Glasshouse International Centre for Music has revealed its 2025/26 classical season – marking the start of an ambitious new era for the music centre and Royal Northern Sinfonia. Now in its third decade, The Glasshouse is building on its founding vision with bold programming, new partnerships and a deepening connection to its community.
37 musicians at the top of their game. Electrifying music, old and new. All the talent, determination and creativity of the North East on a worldwide stage. From their home at The Glasshouse International Centre for Music, Royal Northern Sinfonia share the joy and wonder of orchestral music with thousands of people across the North of England – and beyond – every year.
From symphonies to string quartets, film soundtracks to choral masses, and original performances with awesome artists from Sheku Kanneh-Mason to Self Esteem, the orchestra’s members have got one of the most varied jobs there is. They’re always looking for fresh new sounds from up-and-coming composers, inviting local communities to share a stage, and doing everything they can to inspire and prepare the musicians of tomorrow to one day take their place.
They’re also working hard to smash the barriers that can stop brilliant people getting into classical music. They’ve teamed up with national partners to support women conductors to develop their careers, to help global majority musicians get vital experience in the orchestra world, and to celebrate disabled and non-disabled musicians breaking new ground together in RNS Moves. And they bring new musical opportunities to the region, headlining the first-ever BBC Proms weekend outside London.
Visit theglasshouseicm.org for more information.
Dinis Sousa & Royal Northern Sinfonia’s 2025/26 Season at The Glasshouse International Centre for Music
Saturday 26 July 2025 / 7:30pm
BBC Proms
Bach: Keyboard Concerto in D minor, BWV 1052
Mendelssohn: Symphony No. 2 in B flat major, “Lobgesang”
Dinis Sousa, conductor
David Fray, piano
Adèle Charvet, mezzo-soprano
Benjamin Hulett, tenor
Voices of the River’s Edge
Huddersfield Choral Society
Royal Northern Sinfonia
Saturday 13 September 2025 / 7.30pm
Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto
Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky: Violin Concerto
Kristine Tjøgersen: Bioluminescence
Dmitri Shostakovich: Symphony No. 9
Dinis Sousa, conductor
Alena Baeva, violin
Royal Northern Sinfoni
Saturday 11 October / 7pm
Berio meets The Beatles
Luciano Berio: Sequenza III for solo soprano
Luciano Berio: Opus Zoo
Luciano Berio: Selection of Duets for 2 violins
John Lennon / Paul McCartney arr. Luciano Berio: Michelle, Ticket to Ride and Yesterday
Luciano Berio: Sequenza VII for solo oboe
Luciano Berio: Folk Songs
Dinis Sousa, conductor
Sophia Burgos, soprano
Royal Northern Sinfonia
Friday 21 November 2025 / 7.30pm
Bryn Terfel sings Schubert
Sofia Gubaidulina: Impromtu
Franz Schubert: Selection of orchestrated songs
Franz Schubert: Symphony No. 9 ‘The Great’
Dinis Sousa, conductor
Bryn Terfel, bass-baritone
Royal Northern Sinfonia
Friday 27 February 2026 / 7.30pm
Mozart’s Symphony No. 39
György Kurtág: …quasi una fantasia…
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Mitridate, re di Ponto: Al destin, che la minaccia
György Kurtág: Brefs Messages
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Bella mia Fiamma
György Kurtág: Four Capriccios
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Symphony No. 39
Dinis Sousa, conductor
Louise Alder, soprano
Royal Northern Sinfonia
Friday 27 March 2026 / 7.30pm
Beethoven’s Seventh Symphony
Johannes Brahms: Piano Concerto No. 1
Ludwig van Beethoven: Symphony No. 7
Dinis Sousa, conductor
Stephen Hough, piano
Royal Northern Sinfonia
Sunday 17 May 2026 / 3pm
Haydn’s Creation
Franz Joseph Haydn: The Creation
Dinis Sousa, conductor
Carolyn Sampson, soprano
Maximilian Schmitt, tenor
Will Thomas, bass
Tim Burke, chorus director
Chorus of Royal Northern Sinfonia
Royal Northern Sinfonia
Saturday 13 June 2026 / 7.30pm
Imogen Cooper and Paul Lewis play Mozart
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: La Clemenza di Tito and Don Giovanni Overtures
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Piano Concerto No. 10
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Piano Concerto No. 27
Dinis Sousa, conductor
Imogen Cooper, piano
Paul Lewis, piano
Royal Northern Sinfonia
Photo: Sim Canetty-Clarke