Donald Palumbo (Photo: Todd Rosenberg Photography)
Donald Palumbo has been appointed the director of the Chicago Symphony Chorus. He represents just the third director in the ensemble’s 67-year history, following Margaret Hillis and Duain Wolfe. Palumbo was unanimously recommended by the orchestra’s chorus director search committee.
Palumbo’s three-year term will begin July 1, but before then, he’ll prepare the chorus for June 19-24 performances of Verdi’s Requiem Mass with CSO music director emeritus for life Riccardo Muti.
The seven-time Grammy winner’s first performances as chorus director will occur over the summer, as he prepares the chorus for a Ravinia Festival presentation of Mahler’s Resurrection Symphony with conductor Marin Alsop. He made his debut with the CSO in 2022.
Palumbo’s two predecessors — Hillis and Wolfe — both led the chorus for more than 25 years. Wolfe retired in 2022 following a 28-year stint leading the chorus.
Palumbo led the chorus of the Lyric Opera of Chicago from 1991 to 2007 before serving as chorus master of the Metropolitan Opera from 2007 to 2024. He has also held significant leadership roles at the Dallas Opera, the Canadian Opera Company, the Santa Fe Opera, and the Juilliard School.
Palumbo’s work will be on display in four programs of orchestra’s 2025-2026 season: Mozart’s Requiem with Manfred Honeck (November), the holiday program Merry, Merry Chicago! (December), a Muti-conducted night of Italian opera (March), and Poulenc’s Gloria (May).
