On 1 December Susanna Mälkki makes her debut at The Metropolitan Opera, conducting Kaija Saariaho’s L’Amour de loin.

Described by The New York Times as ​“transfixing … a lushly beautiful score”, the work was first conducted by Susanna at the Finnish National Opera in 2004 and has since become a subject of frequent collaboration between herself and Saariaho. The Met’s premiere on 1 December is the first of eight performances spread throughout the month.

In spring 2017 Susanna will return to Opéra national de Paris to conduct the world premiere of Luca Francesconi’s Trompe-la-mort. Other past opera engagements include performances with Teatro alla Scala and Staatsoper Hamburg.

Last month Susanna was announced as Musical America’s Conductor of the Year 2017. The award ceremony takes place at Carnegie Hall, New York on 8 December.