The young British-Canadian conductor Henry Kennedy has already established strong credentials in the concert hall and opera house in both Europe and North America.
Currently inaugural Resident Conductor of Canada’s National Arts Centre Orchestra in Ottawa, he is the founder of London’s Resonate Symphony Orchestra and former resident conductor of Poland’s Wrocław Opera. Having acted as assistant to a number of leading conductors, he has collaborated with major European orchestras, and, since graduating from London’s Royal Academy of Music, he has benefited crucially from the mentoring of Riccardo Muti, Christian Thielemann, Richard Bonynge and David Zinman.
Honouring Puccini on the centenary of his death in November 2024, Henry conducted a new production of Tosca in Lucca, the composer’s birthplace. Further performances followed in cities across northern Italy. Opera magazine noted “the sense of dramatic trajectory that Kennedy was able to project through the music while still keeping the tempos admirably supple,” while the Corriere Fiorentino declared that “Kennedy is the revelation in this Tosca.”
“Lucca: Kennedy is the revelation in this Tosca
It was the 28-year-old Henry Kennedy … who left the strongest impression with a fluent interpretation of the score, continually revealing sonic detail, and tracing the hard-hitting drama without resorting to easy compromise.”
Francesco Ermini Polacci, Corriere Fiorentino │Tosca, Teatro del Giglio, Lucca, November 2024
“The most notable aspect of the production was the sense of dramatic trajectory that Kennedy was able to project through the music while still keeping the tempos admirably supple … Overall Kennedy achieved a compelling transparency … that allowed the modernistic aspects of the score to shine through.”
Chris Walton, Opera Magazine │Tosca, Teatro del Giglio, Lucca, November 2024
“Muti himself specifically recommended Henry Kennedy for this production … And he can be proud of his protégé …: economy and meaning of gesture; precision in the deployment of both orchestra and singers; eschewal of flashy effects, and careful treatment of the relationship between text and music … If any emerging conductor could be trusted to do this, then it is this young, highly motivated artist, who, in his own words, believes passionately in realising what is written in the score.”
Kirsten Liese, Onlinemerker.com │Tosca, Teatro Dante Alighieri, Ravenna, March 2025
“Henry Kennedy’s interpretation was crafted with great care and realised with considerable and distinctive style … a sense of style that was also very keen.”
Roberto Del Nista, L’opera │Tosca ,Teatro del Giglio, Lucca, November 2024
“The musical component of the evening derived its momentum … above all from the young British conductor Henry Kennedy … The sound he drew from his players was well-defined, simultaneously sturdy and supple, almost silky in its textures, lustrous and elegant of phrase; … [His] flexibility produced fascinating rubato, while the tempi were able to linger without impeding the narrative pace. A conductor who works on these principles deserves close attention.”
Gilberto Mion, Teatro.it │Tosca, Teatro Dante Alighieri, Ravenna, March 2025
“Henry Kennedy, a fine young conductor, paid great attention to the cohesiveness of the orchestra …, to the balance between stage and pit, and to the colours of the score, which absolutely demands an approach of this kind …”
Luca Fialdini, Apemusicale.it │Tosca, Teatro del Giglio, Lucca, November 2024
“Each of the famous passages in the opera was given its precise due, with a sense of inexorable and momentous drama.”
Matteo F. Camerani, Il Resto del Carlino │Tosca, Teatro Dante Alighieri, Ravenna, March 2025