Samuel Hollister

Samuel Hollister was named assistant conductor of the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra. In addition to leading the ensemble in a children’s concert in October, Hollister will make several appearances on the podium throughout the season. Primary to his role will be assisting SLSO Music Director Stéphane Denève and high-profile guest conductors. Read More →

The Royal Northern College of Music (RNCM) has appointed conductor Nicolas Pasquet as its new International Chair in Conducting. He will succeed Sir Mark Elder, who was in this position for 22 years. Read More →

Die Stadt Köln und ihr Generalmusikdirektor François-Xavier Roth haben sich darauf geeinigt, den sie bindenden Vertrag vorzeitig zu beenden. Roth wurde sexuelle Belästigung vorgeworfen, etwas was der Dirigent zugegeben hatte und wofür er sich entschuldigte. Nun soll er laut deutschen Medienberichten trotz dieses Fehlverhaltens ca. 30 Prozent von dem bekommen, was ihm in Köln für die kommende Spielzeit zugestanden hätte. Dabei soll es sich um rund 200 000 Euro handeln, eine Summe von der viele Leute, die sich anständig benehmen, nur träumen können. Die durchschnittliche Bruttoaltersrente in Deutschland lag 2022 nach mindestens 35 Versicherungsjahren durchschnittlich bei 1550 Euro. Mit 200.000 Euro kann Roth also vorerst mal bei gestoppter Karriere sehr gut leben. Read More →

François-Xavier Roth and the City of Cologne have agreed on an amicable early termination of their collaboration as of June 30, 2024. Following allegations of sexual harassment against Roth, the city had initially agreed with him that he would no longer conduct in Cologne until further notice. It is now clear that Roth will be leaving Cologne a good year earlier than originally planned. Read More →

Victorien Vanoosten

French conductor Victorien Vanoosten has been named first-ever Principal Guest Conductor of the Lithuanian National Symphony Orchestra (LNSO).Victorien Vanoosten is the chief conductor and artistic director of the Ensemble Symphonique Neuchâtel since 2019, a position he renewed in 2022 for five more seasons, and music director of the Opéra de Toulon since the beginning of 2024. Read More →

Teatro Nacional de São Carlos in Lisbon has terminated the contract of its Dutch artistic director Ivan van Kalmthout who was in this position since July 1, 2023. His mandate was to end on June 30, 2027. Read More →

Die Würth-Gruppe engagiert sich ab 2025 als neuer Hauptsponsor der Salzburger Festspiele. Die Vertragsdauer beträgt drei Jahre. Die Würth-Gruppe ist Weltmarktführer in der Entwicklung, der Herstellung und dem Vertrieb von Montage- und Befestigungsmaterial.

Henry Kennedy
(c) Ben Pembery

Canada’s National Arts Centre Orchestra (NACO) has announced that 27-year-old Nova Scotian conductor Henry Kennedy has been selected as the very first Resident Conductor. Kennedy will commence his two-year term at the beginning of the 2024-2025 season. Read More →

Brucknerhaus
(c) Rita Newman

Der Linzer Bürgermeister und Aufsichtsratschef der Linzer Veranstaltungsgesellschaft LIVA, Klaus Luger, hat klare Worte gefunden. Ihm zufolge müsse der künstlerische Geschäftsführer der LIVA und Intendant des Brucknerhauses, Dietmar Kerschbaum seinen Hut nehmen. Read More →

The ensemble Holland Baroque informed us that the Dutch Council for Culture and the Performing Arts Fund have not foreseen any funding for the ensemble in 2025-2028. The press release says: « Both gave a positive assessment, but no financial allocation for the coming years. First of all, we are very perplexed and disappointed. » Read More →