The Italian-born Palumbo launched his career abroad, guest-conducting in Germany, Japan, Norway, and Spain in the 1980s. He was music director of Istanbul Opera and Ballet from 1989 to 1994 and principal conductor of Cape Town Opera Theatre from 1993 to 1998. Since 1998, he has debuted at the Arena di Verona, Lyric Opera of Chicago, Washington Opera, La Fenice, La Scala, and Vienna State Opera. He will debut at Paris Opera and Barcelona's Gran Teatro del Liceu this season.
He leads Puccini's Le villi at Deutsche Oper Berlin starting October 12.