Joana is in high demand across the globe, particularly for her focus on contemporary music both in the concert hall and on the opera stage.
Most recently she returned to London’s Coliseum with the English National Opera for their premiere of Thea Musgraves’ Mary, Queen of Scots. This followed her work on the revival of The Handmaid’s Tale, which she originally premiered in 2022. Prior to that, together with the English National Opera, she brought to light the world stage premiere of John Adams’ The Gospel According to the Other Mary, directed by Peter Sellars. With Scottish Opera Joana conducted Nixon in China at the Theatre Royal Glasgow and at Edinburgh’s Festival Theatre.
Most recently Joana concluded a four-year tenure as Principal Guest Conductor of the Real Filharmonia de Galicia. Joana was Principal Conductor of the Orquestra Sinfonica Portuguesa at Teatro Sao Carlos in Lisbon from 2014 until January 2022.
Last updated: 11th April 2026