Li Xincao Li Xincao

Xincao LI

Principal Conductor of China National Symphony Orchestra

Music Director & Principal Conductor of Busan Philharmonic Orchestra

Music Director of China Youth Symphony Orchestra

As the first Chinese conductor to take podium in Wiener Symphoniker in Wiener Staatsoper, Xincao LI’s performance activity involves the world. He has collaborated with famous Wiener Staatsoper, Wiener Symphoniker etc. and all the main orchestras and opera houses in Asia and Oceania.

While studying Xincao LI at 22 became the first-prize winner at the First International Conducting Competition of China in 1993.

In 1997, he became the 2nd prize winner in the 45th Besançon International Conducting Competition in France.

In 2000, he was chosen as one of the “100 Youths Influential in China’s 21 Century” by “China Youth”.

In 2004, he was chosen as one of the “10 first Chinese Youth Study Prize”.

Xincao LI graduated from the Central Conservatory of Music of China and Musikuniversität Wien. At the age of 20, he had successfully collaborated with almost all of the top domestic orchestras in China including the former Central Philharmonic Orchestra of China, Shanghai Symphony Orchestra and National Opera House.

Since 1999, Xincao LI has led China National Symphony Orchestra on historical tour in the world top music venues such as Amsterdam Concertgebouw, Lincoln Art Center in New York, Sydney Opera House, Tokyo Suntory Hall etc., and has been enthusiastically received by audience and musical critics in foreign countries. Critics once of the New York Time and Washington Post said the following: “Energetic conductor, Xincao Li, are still grappling with Western style, at times convincing in their phrasing and expression.” “Xincao Li proved an admirably adaptive conductor, at home in everything he took on.” After the concert with Mstislav Rostropovich, Rostropovich said: Li is an extremely talented maestro. In 2007, he visited with premier WEN Jiabao and conducted the closing ceremony concert of 2007 China – Russia Culture Year. In 2008, he conducted Wiener Symphoniker in Wiener Staatsoper and firstly played Chinese opera “MULAN”. In 2011, he conducted Puccini’s Turandot (NCPA version) successfully in Seoul Arts Center when the NCPA made a first historical international tour.

Recently he has also greatly extended the repertoire for art and conducted over 20 operas, such as “Le Nozze di Figaro”, “Don Giovanni”, “Die Zauberflöte”, “Fidelio”, “Die Fliegende Holländer", “Der Rosenkavalier”, “Salome”,“Madame Butterfly”, “La Bohème", “Tosca”, “Turandot”, “Manon Lescaut", “Rigoletto”, “La Traviata”, “Il Trovatore”, “Aida”, “Cavalleria Rusticana”, “Pagliacci”, “L’elisir d’amore”and “Lucia di Lammermoor” etc.

Xincao LI is Principal Conductor of China National Symphony Orchestra, Music Director Busan & Principal Conductor of Busan Philharmonic Orchestra, Music Director of China Youth Symphony Orchestra, Professor of Conducting Department of Central Conservatory of Music, standing syndical member of China Musicians’ Association, the Standing Committee of the All-China Youth Federation, Vice Chairman of Central Government Youth Federation, State Council Expert for Special Allowance.