Kazuki Yamada has announced that he will step down from his role as Artistic and Music Director of the Monte-Carlo Philharmonic Orchestra (OPMC) in August 2026, concluding a ten-year tenure.

The announcement was made to the OPMC’s board, which is chaired by Princess of Hanover.

Yamada, 46, indicated that he would not renew his contract beyond August 2026 following his recent appointment to the Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester in Berlin, where he will succeed Robin Ticciati, who led the orchestra from 2017 to 2024.

During his decade in Monaco, Yamada significantly contributed to the OPMC’s artistic development, collaborating not only with the Orchestra but also with the Ballets de Monte-Carlo, the Opera, and the Printemps des Arts Festival.

Concurrently, since 2023, he has been the principal conductor of the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, marking a notable achievement as the first non-European music director of the British orchestra, with his contract recently extended through the end of the 2028-2029 season.

Under Yamada’s leadership, the OPMC has performed in several prestigious venues across Europe, including the Philharmonie de Paris, the Salzburg Festival, and the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam.

The orchestra also completed a tour in Japan in 2024, the home country of Yamada.

Throughout his time with the OPMC, the orchestra has recorded works for various labels, including OPMC Classics, Bru Zane Label, Warner Classics, and Alpha, showcasing the artistic collaboration between Yamada and the orchestra.

In light of Yamada's upcoming departure, the OPMC’s board has initiated the search for his successor, as the 2025-2026 season will be the last under his directorship.

With a history spanning nearly 170 years, the OPMC is poised to embark on a new chapter in its legacy.