Biography

Hailed by Opéra Magazine as “a discovery… the orchestra is dripping with colors and sensuality,” American-Irish conductor Robert Tuohy is equally at home in the operatic and symphonic worlds, with a particular affinity for French, Italian, and Russian works.

From 2013 to 2022, he served as Music Director of Opéra de Limoges, where he led a wide-ranging repertoire including Ariadne auf Naxos, Bluebeard’s Castle, Carmen, Cendrillon, Così fan tutte, Der Freischütz, Eugene Onegin, Macbeth, Madama Butterfly, Les pêcheurs de perles, and Pelléas et Mélisande, as well as dozens of symphonic programs spanning the core orchestral canon. His tenure was marked by critically acclaimed productions and a strong emphasis on orchestral color, dramatic pacing, and stylistic integrity.

Recent and ongoing engagements include performances at the Théâtre des Champs-Élysées (Candide), the Bolshoi Theatre, Opéra de Marseille (Lakmé, Candide, Eugene Onegin), Opéra Grand Avignon (L’Heure espagnole, L’Enfant et les sortilèges), Opéra de Tours (L’Heure espagnole, L’Enfant et les sortilèges), Opéra National de Bordeaux, Tchaikovsky Hall (Lakmé), Opéra de Toulon (Les pêcheurs de perles, Si j’étais Roi), Opéra de Reims (Les pêcheurs de perles, Macbeth), and Opéra de Massy (La Traviata, Les pêcheurs de perles). He has also collaborated with orchestras such as l’Orchestre national d’Île-de-France, Prague Radio Symphony Orchestra, Orchestra della Fondazione Arena di Verona, Orchestra del Teatro Lirico di Cagliari, and the Russian National Youth Symphony Orchestra.

He has regularly worked with leading international soloists including Sabine Devieilhe, Nadine Sierra, Brian Jagde, Michael Fabiano, and Roger Muraro.

Earlier in his career, Robert was Assistant Conductor at Opéra et Orchestre National de Montpellier (2009–2013), working closely with Music Director Lawrence Foster. During this period he conducted numerous symphonic and operatic performances, including highly acclaimed productions of Lakmé, Manon Lescaut, Rusalka, and Die Fledermaus.

Robert trained at the Cleveland Institute of Music and the Royal Academy of Music, where he studied with Colin Metters, Sir Colin Davis, and George Hurst. He graduated with distinction, and was awarded the Ernest Read Conducting Prize and the DipRAM for outstanding final recital. He has participated in masterclasses and projects with Sir Colin Davis, Kurt Masur, and leading European orchestras, including the London Symphony Orchestra, BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, and Scottish Chamber Orchestra.