Anna-Maria Helsing appointed chief conductor of the BBC Concert Orchestra

The BBC Concert Orchestra has today announced the appointment of conductor Anna-Maria Helsing to the role of chief conductor, effective from 1 October 2023. Helsing will build on her existing relationship with the orchestra, built over three years as principal guest conductor.

With a contract signed until 2026, Helsing will work closely with the orchestra’s director, Bill Chandler. Helsing’s next collaboration with the orchestra will be a performance for This Classical Life: Live! with Jess Gillam at Alexandra Palace on (19 June). She will rejoin Gillam once she is officially in post, for a concert of Sibelius at the Southbank Centre in October.

Chandler said: ‘This is such an exciting time for the BBC Concert Orchestra as we welcome Anna-Maria Helsing as Chief Conductor. Her already deep connection with the musicians and her superb music making will ensure that the next chapter of the Concert Orchestra’s future will be expertly led. Already the UK’s most versatile orchestra, Anna-Maria’s hope is to further expand the orchestra’s repertoire, and with her passion and her openness for connecting with new audiences in new ways, it promises to be a meaningful and dynamic musical relationship that will place the Concert Orchestra at the heart of the BBC’s vision to make exciting, relevant and impactful content.’

Originally trained as a violinist at Sibelius Academy Helsinki, Helsing’s experience includes a three-year period as chief conductor of the Oulu Symphony, where the first ever female conductor at the head of a Finnish symphony orchestra. She will balance her work with the BBC Concert Orchestra with her responsibilities as artistic director of the Finnish Rusk chamber music festival.

Helsing is set to join the BBC Concert Orchestra at the Royal Albert Hall in August for the Fantasy, Myths and Legends Prom before leading the orchestra for the Proms at Great Yarmouth in September.

Talking about her relationship with the orchestra, Helsing said: ‘During our years together we have established a warm connection, which on my part makes working with this orchestra a true pleasure. In the years to come I would love to further expand the symphonic repertoire of the orchestra as well as presenting it to audiences outside of London. I have the greatest respect for this fine group of musicians and I look forward to us making a lot of fantastic music in the future.’