Explore Like a Local: Ludovic Morlot

Occupation: Music Director for Seattle Symphony
Years Lived in Seattle: 4

Naka | Amber Zbitnoff Photography

To sum up Ludovic Morlot, music director for the Seattle Symphony, in one word would be like listening to a piano concerto with earmuffs on. It just wouldn’t do him justice. Morlot is exuberant, passionate, and creative by nature—and that kind of zeal can’t help but bubble over into his job and every aspect of his life in Seattle.

At the symphony, he is responsible for artistic and musical matters, from conducting to curating programming to developing the orchestra’s sound. “For me, my favorite part of conducting is that I’m sharing the music with the audience—a story that I’m absolutely passionate about,” he says. “And, of course, the adrenaline rush that comes from performing.”

When he’s not conducting, Morlot is spending time with his wife and daughters, searching for new stories to share with the symphony’s audiences, and diving into Seattle’s diverse neighborhoods, cultures, and foods.

Ballard Locks | Amber Zbitnoff Photography

Mamnoon | Amber Zbitnoff Photography

Fremont | Amber Zbitnoff Photography

Water World

Take a ferry ride somewhere, go for a swim at Madison Beach, or take a walk through one of the marinas or along Fishermen’s Terminal.

Local Eats

My family loves Mamnoon and, most recently, has really enjoyed exploring the menu at Naka. They have such a great bar.

Top Sights

EMP Museum is always high on the list, along with Seattle Center and the Ballard Locks.

Shop Talk

I love going antiquing in Ballard and Fremont.

Music Notes

In February we have the Grammy-winning vocalists Roomful of Teeth joining us for Berio’s Sinfonia for 8 Voices and Orchestra. Over the course of this season and the next, the symphony will be performing the entire Beethoven symphonic cycle and piano concertos. In February Yefim Bronfman joins us to play Beethoven’s Piano Concerto no. 2, and we will also be doing the Eroica symphony. And in May, we will partner with SIFF to showcase a new piece by Michael Gordon written for the premiere of a new film by Bill Morrison.

Ballard Locks 3015 NW 54th St
EMP Museum 325 Fifth Ave N; empmuseum.org
Fishermen’s Terminal 3919 18th Ave W; portseattle.org
Madison Beach Park 4201 E Madison St
*Mamnoon 1508 Melrose Ave; mamnoonrestaurant.com

Naka 1449 E Pine St; nakaseattle.com
*Seattle Center 305 Harrison St; seattlecenter.com
*Seattle Symphony
200 University St; seattlesymphony.org
*SIFF siff.net