Lionel Sow studied singing and choral conducting at the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique in Paris. Since 2011 he has been the chorus director of the Chœur de l’Orchestre de Paris. Since 2017, he has also been affiliated with the Department of Singing and Choral Conducting at the Conservatoire de Lyon. He also works regularly as a guest conductor for professional orchestras and choirs in France and abroad. Lionel Sow was appointed Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres in January 2011. At Dutch National Opera, he previously worked as a chorus master on Missa in tempore belli.