Born into a musical family in Shanghai, Lü Jia began studying piano and cello at a young age. He later studied conducting at the Central Conservatory of Music in Beijing, under the tutelage of conductor Zheng Xiaoying. At the age of twenty-four, Lü Jia entered the University of Arts in Berlin, where he continued his studies under Hans-Martin Rabenstein and Robert Wolf. The following year, in 1989, he was awarded both the first prize and jury’s prize at the Antonio Pedrotti International Conducting Competition in Trento, Italy, launching his career as a conductor.
In 2017 Lü Jia was appointed Artistic Director of Music for the National Centre for the Performing Arts (NCPA) and Music Director and Chief Conductor of the China NCPA Orchestra; previously he served as chief conductor and artistic director of opera at the NCPA. He is also currently Music Director and Chief Conductor of the Macao Orchestra and has served as artistic director of the Santa Cruz de Tenerife Symphony Orchestra in Spain. Lü Jia has led orchestras such as the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra, Munich Philharmonic, Bamberg Symphony, Orchestra dell’Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia, City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, Royal Liverpool Philharmonic, San Francisco Symphony Orchestra and Lyon National Orchestra. He was also the first Chinese conductor to lead the Chicago Symphony.
Lü Jia was previously music director of Verona Opera in Italy, and was the first Asian conductor to serve as the artistic director of a major Italian opera house. He was chief conductor at Trieste Opera, and he has also led productions at La Scala, Deutsche Oper Berlin and Bavarian State Opera, among others. Lü Jia was bestowed the President’s Prize by Italian President Giorgio Napolitano in 2007 for his contribution to Italian culture. In 2012, he was a jury member of Operalia, the international competition for lyric singers founded by PlacidoDomingo.
press
"In the world of classical music, few possess the ability to transform a score into a profoundly emotional experience for the audience. Lu Jia, the renowned conductor from Shanghai, is one of these exceptional talents, whose artistry has been captivating audiences worldwide for over 30 years." L'Unione Sarda
"[...] Lu Jia’s artistry shone brilliantly on Sunday afternoon, drawing polished and explosive playing from the China NCPA Orchestra in a performance that showcased his exceptional ability to bring out both the nuanced lyricism and the eruptive energy of Dvorak’s Symphony No. 8. His leadership highlighted the orchestra’s impressive string section and delivered an impassioned and high-adrenaline finale, earning enthusiastic ovations from the audience." Chicago Classical Review
