Early life Stutzmann was born in
Suresnes, France, to musical parents. Her mother was
soprano , and her father was
bass Christian Dupuy. She first studied with her mother, then at the and later at the ''École d'Art Lyrique'' of the
Paris Opera, focusing on
lieder, under
Hans Hotter's tutelage. Stutzmann also plays piano and bassoon and is a
chamber musician.
Singing career Stutzmann debuted as a concert singer at the
Salle Pleyel, Paris, 1985, in Bach's
Magnificat. She is noted for her interpretations of French
mélodies and German lieder. Her recital debut was the following year in
Nantes. She began performing and recording with pianist in 1994. She also took part in the project of
Ton Koopman and the
Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra & Choir to record Bach's complete vocal works. In addition to her concert work, Stutzmann has taught at the
Geneva University of Music. Stutzmann made her American singing debut in 1995 at
Lincoln Center in New York and her
Carnegie Hall debut two years later. In 2009, Stutzmann founded the
chamber orchestra Orfeo 55, with which she has performed as both soloist and conductor. She served as its artistic director until Orfeo 55 ceased operations in April 2019. In 2018, she was appointed chief conductor of the
Kristiansand Symphony Orchestra, in Kristiansand, Norway, the first female chief conductor in the orchestra's history. In December 2020, her Kristiansand contract was extended through 2023. She concluded her Kristiansand tenure at the close of the 2022–2023 season. In the USA, the
Philadelphia Orchestra announced the appointment of Stutzmann as its next principal guest conductor in December 2020, the first female conductor ever named to this Philadelphia post, effective with the 2021–2022 season, with a contract of 3 years. Separately, in December 2020, Stutzmann was guest conductor of the
Atlanta Symphony Orchestra. She returned in February 2021 for an additional engagement, in a streamed quarantine concert. In October 2021, the orchestra announced the appointment of Stutzmann as its next music director, effective with the 2022–2023 season, with an initial contract of four years. Stutzmann is the first female conductor to be named music director of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra. In November 2025, the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra announced an extension of Stutzmann's contract as its music director through the 2028–2029 season. In May 2023, Stutzmann made her debut at the
Metropolitan Opera of New York, conducting Mozart's
Don Giovanni and
The Magic Flute. Members of the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra publicly objected to her characterization, stating that performing in the pit is "anything but a mundane experience," and expressing pride in their work. Stutzmann later issued a public apology, saying her comments were intended to highlight the visibility of musicians in a new production and were not meant to diminish their professionalism. Zachary Woolfe of
The New York Times subsequently defended Stutzmann and, in turn, criticised the orchestra musicians and Metropolitan Opera music director
Yannick Nézet-Séguin for their own reaction. In July 2023, Stutzmann made her
Bayreuth Festival conducting debut, the second female conductor in the festival's 150 year history, with Wagner's
Tannhäuser. She returned to conduct
Tannhäuser in the 2024 season. In December 2025, the
Monte-Carlo Philharmonic Orchestra announced the appointment of Stutzmann as its next music director and artistic director, effective with the 2026-2027 season, with an initial contract of four years. Stutzmann is the first female conductor to be named music director and artistic director of the Monte-Carlo Philharmonic Orchestra. ==Recordings==