Jessica Cottis

Recent highlights include engagements with the London, Singapore, Sydney, and BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestras; the Danish and Prague Radio Symphony Orchestras; the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra; Royal Danish Opera; the Oslo and Los Angeles Philharmonics; the National Arts Centre Orchestra (Canada); National Symphony Orchestra Dublin; and Orchestre National de Bordeaux – as well as numerous invitations to the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, and the prestigious BBC Proms. Cottis has recorded for the BBC, ABC and Decca Classics labels.

In September 2023, Cottis assumed the role of Artistic Partner of the Västerås Sinfonietta in Sweden – and continues her third season as Chief Conductor and Artistic Director of the Canberra Symphony Orchestra (CSO). Across 2023–24, Cottis also makes highly anticipated debuts with Opera Australia; Luxembourg Philharmonic; Melbourne Symphony Orchestra; and in Milan with Orchestra i Pomeriggi Musicali.

Under her visionary leadership, the CSO has delivered a significant commissioning output, collaborated with First Nations creators, and continued to champion Australian composers. Admired internationally for her deep musical curiosity and affinity for new music, Cottis also recently conducted critically acclaimed productions of Poul Ruder’s The Handmaid’s Tale (Royal Danish Opera) and John Adams’ The Death of Klinghoffer (Norrlandsoperan), and was Music Director for the world premiere of Laura Bowler’s The Blue Woman at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden.

Recently honoured with the titles of Associate of the Royal Academy of Music (London) and Distinguished Visiting Fellow at the Australian National University School of Music, Cottis works widely as an advocate for classical music. She is a frequent contributor on BBC radio and television, commenting on a range of arts-related topics, from opera to architecture, synaesthesia, and acoustics.

www.jessicacottis.com @jessicacottis