Associate Conductor, Naples Philharmonic
Director, Naples Philharmonic Youth Orchestra
Described as a conductor of “magical precision” and with an ability to make an orchestra resound with an “incredible palette of colours, dynamics and nuances” (OperaPlus.cz), Manuel López-Gómez’ charismatic and inspiring presence captures players and audiences alike. He currently serves as Associate Conductor of the Naples Philharmonic in Florida, a position that builds on his significant international career and leadership experience.
He has worked with major orchestras, including the Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France, Washington National Symphony, Detroit Symphony, Czech Philharmonic, Frankfurt hr-Sinfonieorchester, Gothenburg Symphony, Royal Stockholm Philharmonic, Sydney Symphony, and Seoul Philharmonic. He has also collaborated with a remarkable roster of artists, among them Emanuel Ax, Lang Lang, Vadim Repin, Bomsori Kim, Pablo Sáinz-Villegas, Pablo Ferrández, and Nikolai Lugansky.
With a vast operatic repertoire, Manuel made his debut at the prestigious Rossini Opera Festival in Pesaro with Il Viaggio a Reims in 2015, a success that led to a return invitation in 2025. His notable productions also include Gounod’s Roméo et Juliette with Juan Diego Flórez in Peru and Mozart’s Le Nozze di Figaro in Norway. For Universal Music Italy, he conducted the first ever recording of Carlo Enrico Pasta’s opera Atahualpa.
His artistic development was greatly influenced by a 15-year formative partnership with Gustavo Dudamel. This close collaboration involved major projects with the Los Angeles Philharmonic and work on a celebrated production of Bernstein’s West Side Story at the Salzburg Festival, with Cecilia Bartoli. A major highlight was Manuel’s sharing the podium with Dudamel for a new production of Puccini’s La Bohème at Paris Opera, directed by Claus Guth and starring soprano Sonya Yoncheva.
Manuel López-Gómez’s musical journey began and was profoundly shaped by Venezuela’s renowned “El Sistema”, where his training as a violinist and conductor instilled into him a deep commitment to artistic excellence and a dedication to nurturing new generations of musicians. This philosophy has been consistently demonstrated through key tenures, including as Music Director of the Bogotá Philharmonic Youth Orchestra (2020–2023) and Associate Conductor of the Medellín Philharmonic (2024).
The Naples Philharmonic Youth Orchestra is generously endowed by the Schoen Family Foundation.
Photo © Alexander Ivanov