Conductor
Mikhail Mering
Israeli conductor Mikhail Mering is rapidly establishing a dynamic international presence across both the symphonic and operatic stages.
Israeli conductor Mikhail Mering is rapidly establishing a dynamic international presence across both the symphonic and operatic stages. He currently serves as the Assistant Conductor to Music Director, the internationally acclaimed maestro Julian Rachlin, at the Jerusalem Symphony Orchestra. Their collaboration is characterized by a rare level of artistic trust, with Maestro Rachlin entrusting Mering with the musical preparation and performances of some of the orchestra’s most demanding contemporary and concert repertoire. These high-profile assignments have included works by Sofia Gubaidulina and touring performances featuring Penderecki’s Duo Concertante, demonstrating Mering’s exceptional technical command and the deep confidence placed in him.
Mering’s central role with the Jerusalem Symphony Orchestra runs alongside his increasingly prestigious guest conducting calendar. Throughout the 2025/26 season, he maintains his strong, recurring collaboration with the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra while expanding his symphonic reach. His current engagements include prominent appearances with the Philharmonic Brass, the Jerusalem Camerata, the Raanana Symphonette, and the Israel Chamber Orchestra. Beyond Israel, Mering’s upcoming conducting schedule spans major European cultural centers, with performances scheduled across France, Germany, Austria, Poland, and Lithuania.
In 2023, Mering solidified his reputation on the international stage as a prominent prizewinner at the prestigious Grzegorz Fitelberg International Conducting Competition in Poland, and as a laureate of the Hong Kong International Conducting Competition. Mering transitioned to the podium after reaching the pinnacle of an international career as a concert clarinetist, having won top honors at the Jacques Lancelot International Clarinet Competition in Japan and the Béla Kovács International Clarinet Competition in Hungary. He established a substantial international career as a soloist, performing from an early age at major global venues such as Tokyo’s Suntory Hall and Paris’s Théâtre du Châtelet.
His foundational musical training was honed in France, where he graduated from the Conservatoire à Rayonnement Régional de Versailles under the guidance of Professor Philippe Cuper. Mering’s conducting career is defined by an exceptionally rich experience in major operatic and symphonic productions. He has enjoyed a significant professional relationship with Maestro Tugan Sokhiev, serving as his Assistant Conductor at the Bolshoi Theatre for acclaimed productions of Tchaikovsky’s Mazeppa, Mozart’s Don Giovanni, and Shostakovich’s Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk (Katerina Izmailova). Additionally, he collaborated with Maestro Evan Rogister as Assistant Conductor for a landmark co-production of Wagner’s Lohengrin with the Metropolitan Opera.
As a guest conductor, Mering has led critically acclaimed performances of Mozart’s Der Schauspieldirektor and Telemann’s Pimpinone. His artistic vision and conducting technique have been profoundly shaped by the masterclasses of Rachlin in Vienna, whose mentorship played a pivotal role in his musical development. Mering also benefited from the masterclasses of Maestro Michał Klauza. He has shared the stage with numerous distinguished orchestras, including the Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra, the Polish Radio Symphony Orchestra, and the Silesian Philharmonic Orchestra, continuing to earn critical acclaim for his dynamic leadership, precise technique, and uncompromising musicality.