King Charles III made an impromptu visit to the London Symphony Orchestra’s Donatella Flick Conducting Competition, one of the more prestigious conducting competitions and an event for which he was formerly patron.
The competition, whose past laureates include Elim Chan and François-Xavier Roth, is in its 18th edition this year. It is being filmed for a new Sky Arts series Making A Maestro, with the winner announced in spring 2026 when the series is broadcast.
At LSO St Luke’s, King Charles watched young conductors lead the LSO in performances of Verdi’s Sicilian Vespers overture, Brahms’s Second Symphony and Rimsky-Korsakov’s Scheherazade.
20 conductors from 10 countries compete for the first prize of £15,000, and a sought-after role as LSO’s Assistant Conductor.
The Donatella Flick jury is chaired by LSO Chief Conductor Sir Antonio Pappano, who also conducted musicians at King Charles’ coronation ceremony in 2023. Others featured on the jury include composer Sir James MacMillan, and conductors Thomas Søndergard and Sian Edwards. Members of the LSO also have positions on the jury.
While the competition has been live-streamed in the past, with documentaries made – including by Italian television – this edition marks the first time a UK broadcaster has joined to create a bespoke series.
The winner’s identity will remain secret until the Sky Arts series is transmitted in spring next year.
