Marin Alsop joins Polish National Radio Symphony Orchestra as artistic director and chief conductor
Florence Lockheart
Monday, June 5, 2023
Alsop will build on her existing relationship with the NOSPR, conducting seven symphonic concerts in the upcoming season
The Polish National Radio Symphony Orchestra (NOSPR) has today announced the appointment of conductor Marin Alsop to the dual role of artistic director and chief conductor. Effective from the beginning of the 2023-24 season, Alsop’s new role will see her build on her existing two-year relationship with the orchestra, working in tandem with NOSPR’s general and programme director, Ewa Bogusz-Moore.
Having made her debut with the NOSPR in February 2021, Alsop has since given 15 concerts at the orchestra’s home in the Polish city of Katowice, as well as touring with the orchestra in Japan. In her new role Alsop will conduct the NOSPR in seven symphonic concerts in the upcoming season, with performances including the Karol Szymanowski International Music Competition and a recording of Penderecki’s opera, Black Mask.
Bogusz-Moore said: ‘Marin is a trailblazer who has initiated positive change within the industry and her work reflects NOSPR’s commitment to identify and address social inequalities. Our musicians greatly enjoy working with Marin, whose conducting technique and diligent work ethic always ensures musical excellence, and we all look forward to working closely with her over the coming years.’
©Adrienne White
Alongside her new position, Alsop will continue to hold the role of chief conductor at the ORF Vienna Radio Symphony Orchestra and at Chicago’s Ravinia Festival, as well as leading the orchestra at Vienna’s Konzerthaus and Musikverein and maintaining longstanding relationships with the London Philharmonic and London Symphony Orchestras. She is also set to make her Metropolitan Opera debut in April 2024 with a new production of John Adams’ El Niño.
Having given its first concert in October 1935, NOSPR was Poland’s first independent radio symphony orchestra and has built a strong reputation working with creative minds including Leonard Bernstein, Martha Argerich, Witold Lutosławski, Henryk Mikołaj Górecki and Krzysztof Penderecki.
Alsop said: ‘Our Japan tour last September and our ongoing recording and concert projects are part of a new vision for the 21st century orchestra… NOSPR’s existing commitment to mentoring the next generations of musicians and conductors also aligns with my personal commitment to the future of classical music.’
