British conductor Rumon Gamba, who has served as Chief Conductor of Oulu Sinfonia since January 2022, will continue in his role until the end of 2028.
Gamba has won over both Oulu audiences and the orchestra with his energy and strong artistic presence. “I am very happy to continue as Chief Conductor. Every rehearsal and performance has been a great joy, and I feel that we are on a strong upward trajectory both artistically and in our relationship with our audience,” Gamba comments.
Oulu Sinfonia’s General Manager Maija Kuusisto also welcomes the contract extension: “Working with Rumon Gamba has proven fruitful in many ways. He enjoys strong support within the orchestra, and there is a shared commitment to working towards common artistic goals. The Chief Conductor’s special connection with the audience has further strengthened the orchestra’s audience base.”
Prior to his tenure in Oulu, Rumon Gamba served as Chief Conductor of Norrlandsoperan in Umeå, the Aalborg Symphony Orchestra, and the Iceland Symphony Orchestra. He conducts regularly across Europe and with BBC orchestras, with whom he has also recorded extensively. Gamba has twice been nominated for a Grammy Award for his recordings on the Chandos Records label. Three recordings have been released with Oulu Sinfonia: Overtures From Finland (2023), Aili Ikonen & Oulu Sinfonia: Valo (2024), and Pictures from Finland (2025).
Gamba finds the extended term important for the orchestra’s future: “Oulu2026 will be an exceptionally significant year for all of us. It is essential that the artistic legacy, achievements and energy created during the Capital of Culture year continue to resonate in the years that follow.”
Chief Conductor Rumon Gamba will lead the world premiere of Ovllá, an opera by Cecilia Damström, at the Oulu Theatre premiering on Friday, 16 January 2026. A total of 20 performances will be given from January to February, with Oulu Sinfonia as the opera orchestra.
Text: Heli Perkkiö, Oulu Sinfonia
Photos: Rumon Gamba, c Kati Leinonen