Burhan Güner

MetSO Artistic Director
(2020-2022)

Burhan is a freelance conductor, writer and presenter. Based in Perth, he is an integral part of the Western Australian musical community and was recently appointed Artistic Director with MetSO.

As a conductor Burhan has worked in Australia, Europe and the UK and in 2021 he will conduct WA Opera’s production of The Barber of Seville, WAAPA’s production of Pirates of Penzance and of course MetSO!

Burhan has been an Assistant Conductor for Opera Holland Park’s (UK) production of Jonathan Dove’s contemporary opera Flight and a Hospitant at the Komsiche Oper Berlin. He is also a former Young Artist, Backstage Conductor and Chorus Master with the West Australian Opera and a regular opera conductor at the West Australian Academy of the Performing Arts, most recently for Die Fledermaus in 2019.

Burhan has conducted numerous ensembles and choirs in both Western Australia and Victoria, including: WA Youth Music Assoc., UWA Choral Society, Albany Chamber Orchestra, Victorian Youth Orchestra, Stonnington Symphony (Vic), University of Melbourne Music Theatre Assoc.

In addition, Burhan has presented pre-concert talks for major performing arts groups including WASO, ACO and ASQ and has written programme notes for Symphony Australia and interviews, articles and reviews for 24 Hours Magazine (now Limelight).

His dedication and integrity have gained him several awards including the 2014 Berlin New Music Opera Award, the 2010 Brian Stacey Award for emerging Australian conductors, the 2005 Gandal Young Conductor of the Year Award and the 1998 ABC Classic FM Symphony Australia Music Presentation Fellowship.

Born in Perth, Western Australia of Dutch and Turkish parents, Burhan completed a B.Mus (Hons) at the University of WA and a Masters in Conducting at the University of Melbourne with John Hopkins (OBE) and has participated in conducting Masterclasses in Australia, Europe and the UK.