Karine Locatelli
Conductor
Karine Locatelli is a French–Italian conductor with a strong focus on opera, vocal and symphonic repertoire, including symphonic-choral works. She works regularly with leading institutions including The Royal Danish Opera (Copenhagen), Nederlandse Reisopera (Netherlands), Chœur de Radio France (Paris), Opéra de Lyon, Orchestre national des Pays de la Loire, Orchestre national du Capitole de Toulouse, and chœur de chambre accentus.
In recent seasons, Locatelli has been involved in notable projects such as the Danish premiere of Bent Sørensen’s Asle og Alida, the French premiere of Tan Dun’s Requiem for Nature, and Giorgio Battistelli’s 7 Minuti at Opéra de Lyon. She has also worked as assistant conductor on major repertoire including Rossini’s Semiramide and Berlioz’ Béatrice et Bénédict, and has conducted works such as Prokofiev’s Peter and the Wolf and Stravinsky’s L’Histoire du soldat (A Soldier’s Tale).
Her accolades include the Jury’s Special Prize at the Blue Danube / Béla Bartók International Opera Conducting Competition (Bulgaria, 2021), conducting repertoire such as Bartók’s Bluebeard’s Castle, Mozart’s Don Giovanni, and Bizet’s Carmen.
Locatelli studied clarinet and conducting in Besançon and graduated from the École Normale de Musique de Paris and the Conservatoire national supérieur de musique et de danse de Lyon.
A major part of her artistic profile was shaped by 15 seasons at Opéra de Lyon, where she led the Maîtrise (Children’s Choir) and won the prestigious Liliane Bettencourt Prize for Choral Singing (2019) with the ensemble. In addition to her choral work, she prepared choirs for numerous productions and contributed as assistant conductor within the house.
She has collaborated with conductors including Emmanuel Krivine, Titus Engel, Daniele Rustioni, Kazushi Ono, Kirill Petrenko, and Elena Schwarz — as chorus master or assistant conductor — across a wide operatic repertoire.
Upcoming engagements include Tosca with Det Kongelige Operakor (The Royal Danish Opera Chorus) in Copenhagen, projects featuring works by Philippe Hersant at Radio France (Paris), and a first collaboration with Orchestre National du Capitole de Toulouse.
Known for her versatility and her deep knowledge of opera, choral and symphonic repertoire, Karine Locatelli combines structural clarity with a keen sense for text, colour, and dramatic pacing. Shaped by 15 seasons at Opéra de Lyon—including the leadership of the Maîtrise Children’s Choir and extensive work as chorus master and assistant conductor—she brings exceptional expertise in working with singers, choruses, and orchestras.
In addition to her artistic activity, she teaches conducting at the Conservatoire national supérieur de musique et de danse de Lyon.
Selected opera & stage repertoire (Chorus Master / Assistant Conductor)
Turn of the Screw • La Damnation de Faust • Mefistofele • Tosca • Perséphone • A Midsummer Night’s Dream • Peter Grimes • Manon • Werther • Messiah • Pika Dama (The Queen of Spades) • Die Zauberflöte • Suor Angelica • Macbeth • Carmen • Der Mond • Jeanne au bûcher • Pelléas et Mélisande • Peer Gynt • Orphée et Eurydice • 7 Minuti
Conducting (selected)
Opera / stage:
Hänsel und Gretel • Noye’s Fludde • Brundibár • The King and I • Les Enfants du Levant • La Bohème (French version) • Carmen • works for young audiences
Concert repertoire:
Debussy (Suite) • Ravel (Ma Mère l’Oye) • Grieg (Peer Gynt Suite) • Britten (Serenade) • Britten (Cantate Saint Nicolas) • Bizet (L’Arlésienne) • Mozart (Requiem) • Orff (Carmina Burana) • Mahler (Blumine) • Dvořák (Stabat Mater)
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