Principal Conductor & Artistic Adviser
Asher Fisch
A renowned conductor in both the operatic and symphonic worlds, Asher Fisch is especially celebrated for his interpretative command of core German and Italian repertoire of the Romantic and post-Romantic era. He conducts a wide variety of repertoire from Gluck to contemporary works by living composers. Asher Fisch took up the position of Principal Conductor and Artistic Adviser of the West Australian Symphony Orchestra in 2014, and in 2017 extended his contract until the end of 2023.
His former posts include Principal Guest Conductor of the Seattle Opera (2007-2013), Music Director of the New Israeli Opera (1998-2008), and Music Director of the Wiener Volksoper (1995-2000).
Highlights of the 2017-18 season include guest engagements with the Milwaukee Symphony, Seoul Philharmonic, Würth Philharmonic, a jubilee concert celebrating the 200th anniversary of the Chorus of the Semperoper Dresden, and a tour to Japan with the Bayerische Staatsoper conducting Mozart's The Magic Flute. Guest opera engagements include The Flying Dutchman at both Semperoper Dresden and at Bayerische Staatsoper, where he also conducts La traviata and Un ballo in maschera this season. In addition, Asher Fisch and WASO celebrate the orchestra's 90th anniversary, and will present a concert version of Tristan und Isolde with Stuart Skelton and Eva-Maria Westbroek in the title roles. Fisch recently made debuts with the Sydney Symphony and the New Japan Philharmonic.
Born in Israel, Fisch began his conducting career as Daniel Barenboim's assistant and kappellmeister at the Berlin Staatsoper. He has built his versatile repertoire at the major opera houses such as the Metropolitan Opera, Lyric Opera of Chicago, San Francisco Opera, Teatro alla Scala, Royal Opera House at Covent Garden, and Semperoper Dresden. Fisch is also a regular guest conductor at leading American symphony orchestras including those of Boston, Chicago, Cleveland, New York, and Philadelphia. In Europe he has appeared at the Berlin Philharmonic, Munich Philharmonic, London Symphony Orchestra, Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra, and the Orchestre National de France, among others.
Asher Fisch recently recorded the complete Brahms symphonies with WASO, released in September 2016 on ABC Classics to great acclaim. His recording of Wagner's Ring Cycle with the Seattle Opera was released on the Avie label in 2014. His first Ring Cycle recording, with the State Opera of South Australia, won ten Helpmann Awards, including best opera and best music direction. Fisch is also an accomplished pianist and has recorded a solo disc of Wagner piano transcriptions for the Melba label.