ARTS AND CULTURE

Lahav Shani

Musician

Last December, the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra made its historic debut in Dubai with its homegrown star Lahav Shani, formerly the principal conductor of the Philharmonic Orchestra of Rotterdam, serving as artistic director.

Shani first appeared as a guest pianist in 2007. In 2010, conductor Zubin Mehta engaged Shani as pianist and assistant conductor for a tour with the Israel Philharmonic. With the orchestra, Shani conducted the Israel Philharmonic's opening season concerts in 2013. He has returned each year subsequently as a guest conductor with the orchestra. In Feb. 2023, Shani was announced as the next conductor of the Munich Philharmonic Orchestra in Germany, a post he will not assume until 2026. "Lahav Shani is a perfect fit for the Munich Philharmonic. The city orchestra, with its tradition and renown, has been rejuvenated and is awakening a new excitement for classical music," said the city's mayor, Dieter Reiter. (Photo: Wikimedia / Creative Commons License)