François Bou, current general director of the Orchestre National de Lille, has been appointed artistic and educational director of Casa da Música in Porto. He will start on 1 February 2025.
After ten years at the helm of the Orchestre National de Lille (ONL), François Bou is making the move to Portugal. Under his leadership, the ONL strengthened its profile, expanded its repertoire and took innovative steps to reach all audience groups. François Decoster, chairman of the ONL board of directors, thanks Bou for his commitment and wishes him every success in his new role.
Achievements in Lille
During his time at the ONL, Bou led the recruitment process for two musical directors: Alexandre Bloch in 2016 and Joshua Weilerstein in 2024. He revitalized the orchestra's audiovisual policy with over 20 CD recordings, television recordings and the creation of a virtual concert hall, Audito 2.0. In addition, he initiated two educational social orchestras (DEMOS and OPUS) and a professional integration academy for young musicians.
New challenge in Porto
Casa da Música chose Bou for his clear vision of artistic programming, which aligns with the institution's strategic objectives. His musical vision was perceived as clear and mobilizing for Casa da Música's spaces, auditoria and audience programmes[1].
Career
François Bou studied singing, music theatre and opera at the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique in Paris. He held leading positions at various renowned music institutions, including the Atelier Lyrique and the Orchestre de l'Opéra de Lyon, the Ensemble Intercontemporain, the Opéra du Rhin, the Opéra de Rouen and the Opéra-Comique in Paris.
In 1999 he became artistic director at the ONL, where he founded two festivals: the Lille Piano(s) Festival and the Boulogne-sur-Mer Violin Festival. After a period at the international agency Van Walsum Management in London, he became general director of the Orquestra Simfònica de Barcelona i Nacional de Catalunya in 2009.
In 2014 Bou returned to Lille as general director of the ONL. He is currently vice-chairman of the French Orchestra Association (AFO) and board member of Les Forces Musicales
François Bou was appointed Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters in 2016 for his contribution to cultural diplomacy between France and Catalonia.