Admired as "a profound and independent artist and thinker" by Classical Music Magazine, Brazilian conductor Simone Menezes is renowned for her exceptional musical and artistic intelligence and innovative performances. Based in France, she is the founder and director of Ensemble K, a chamber music orchestra known for its cosmopolitan approach to classical music. She is also a highly sought-after guest conductor, working with prestigious orchestras such as the Los Angeles Philharmonic, BBC Scottish Symphony, Philharmonia Orchestra, Detroit Symphony, Vienna Chamber Orchestra, Estonian National Orchestra, and others. She collaborates with Fazil Say, Gautier Capuçon , Thomas Ades,Kaija Saariaho, Philip Hersant, among others.
Recent projects included Alpha Classics Menezes' album "Amazonia," featuring the music of Philip Glass and Heitor Villa-Lobos. Simone has also performed this repertoire in collaboration with the renowned photographer Sebastiao Salgado. In another upcoming project, Menezes will conduct Ravel, including a recording with pianist François-Xavier Poizat and London's Philharmonia Orchestra. In 2023, she was elected as one of the "100 femmes de culture," recognized as one of the most inspiring women in the Francophonie. Next saison Simone premier at Boulez Sall in Berlin and conduct between others Frankfurt Radio Orchestra, Luxembourg Philharmonic, Barcelona Liceo, between others.
Among her previous acclaimed recordings, Menezes' audiovisual documentary "Metanoia" received the award for the best video in the "Performance & Documentaries" category at the 2023 International Classical Music Awards.
Throughout her career, Menezes has been invited to conduct ensembles such as the Radio Berlin Symphony Orchestra, Orchestra, Santa Cecilia, Osaka Symphony Orchestra, and Sao Paulo Symphony Orchestra. She has premiered more than 20 works. From 2008 to 2012, Menezes served as the Music Director of the São Paulo-based Unicamp Symphony Orchestra, becoming only the second woman to hold a titled conducting position with a major orchestra in Brazil.
Menezes initially studied conducting in her native São Paulo and went on to establish her first orchestra, the Camerata Latino Americana, at the age of 20. She continued her conducting studies at the Ecole Normale de Musique in Paris, where she graduated after only one year. Her mentors include the Estonian-American conductor Paavo Järvi and Brazilian violinist and conductor Claudio Cruz.
Recent projects included Alpha Classics Menezes' album "Amazonia," featuring the music of Philip Glass and Heitor Villa-Lobos. Simone has also performed this repertoire in collaboration with the renowned photographer Sebastiao Salgado. In another upcoming project, Menezes will conduct Ravel, including a recording with pianist François-Xavier Poizat and London's Philharmonia Orchestra. In 2023, she was elected as one of the "100 femmes de culture," recognized as one of the most inspiring women in the Francophonie. Next saison Simone premier at Boulez Sall in Berlin and conduct between others Frankfurt Radio Orchestra, Luxembourg Philharmonic, Barcelona Liceo, between others.
Among her previous acclaimed recordings, Menezes' audiovisual documentary "Metanoia" received the award for the best video in the "Performance & Documentaries" category at the 2023 International Classical Music Awards.
Throughout her career, Menezes has been invited to conduct ensembles such as the Radio Berlin Symphony Orchestra, Orchestra, Santa Cecilia, Osaka Symphony Orchestra, and Sao Paulo Symphony Orchestra. She has premiered more than 20 works. From 2008 to 2012, Menezes served as the Music Director of the São Paulo-based Unicamp Symphony Orchestra, becoming only the second woman to hold a titled conducting position with a major orchestra in Brazil.
Menezes initially studied conducting in her native São Paulo and went on to establish her first orchestra, the Camerata Latino Americana, at the age of 20. She continued her conducting studies at the Ecole Normale de Musique in Paris, where she graduated after only one year. Her mentors include the Estonian-American conductor Paavo Järvi and Brazilian violinist and conductor Claudio Cruz.