Born in Lausanne, he studied locally and in Geneva, studied under great conductors Ansermet and Munch, and made his debut conducting the Bern Symphony Orchestra in 1964. Since then, he has conducted many major orchestras in Europe and America, and is particularly noteworthy for his 25-year career with the Montreal Symphony Orchestra. The group grew into a top-notch group, earning the reputation of being "more French than French orchestras," and made Dutoit one of the world's favorites. He has also held posts such as the French National Orchestra and the Philadelphia Orchestra. Since 1996, he has been Principal Conductor of the NHK Symphony Orchestra, Music Director since 1998, and Honorary Music Director since 2003. He has also served as the artistic director of PMF in Sapporo and the Miyazaki International Music Festival. In 2018, he was appointed Principal Guest Conductor the St. Petersburg Philharmonic.
Regularly invited by orchestras in major music cities, including the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and the Berliner Philharmoniker, he presents colorful and joyful rhythmic performances, emphasizing French music, Stravinsky, Messiaen, and modern ballet music. conveys to the audience at a deep level.