Pass the baton
The London Philharmonic Orchestra (LPO) has announced that Elena Dubinets will step down from her role as Artistic Director after four seasons. She will remain with the orchestra until 1 May 2025, before taking up her new role as Artistic Director of the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra.
Benedikt Fohr will step down as Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra in July 2025, after six years in the role. During his tenure, Fohr guided the orchestra through the pandemic, oversaw its 50th anniversary celebrations, led extensive touring throughout Asia and Europe, and managed the recent appointment of Tarmo Peltokoski as Music Director. Board Chairman David Cogman praised Fohr’s leadership through this critical period, noting that he leaves the orchestra
“a stronger and more vibrant institution”. After three decades in leadership positions with international orchestras, Fohr plans to pursue new ventures in music and arts management in Europe.
Ken-David Masur will conclude his tenure as Music Director of the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra (MSO) at the end of the 2025-26 season. Since his appointment in 2019, Masur has championed community engagement and inclusivity, while making significant artistic contributions including the appointments of Concertmaster Jinwoo Lee and Assistant Conductor Ryan Tani.
His commitment to the Milwaukee community
was particularly evident during the pandemic when he and his wife, pianist Melinda Lee Masur, hosted “Sounds from the Porch,” outdoor performances featuring MSO musicians that raised funds for
local charities.
The Orquesta y Coro Nacionales de España (the National Orchestra of Spain) has announced the appointments of both Jascha von der Goltz and Daniel Huertas Ferrer as Assistant Conductors.
The Pacific Symphony has announced the appointment of Alexander Shelley as its next Artistic and Music Director. Shelley takes up this role alongside his commitments as Artistic and Music Director of Artis-Naples in Florida and Principal Associate Conductor of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. Shelley becomes the orchestra’s third Music Director, succeeding Carl St Clair who led the orchestra for over 30 years. Shelley’s initial five-year contract begins in the 2026-27 season; he will serve as Music Director Designate from September 2025.
Rochester Symphony Orchestra has announced Chia-Hsuan Lin as its new Music Director. This year Lin was also named Principal Guest Conductor of the Richmond Symphony, where she has served as Associate Conductor since 2016.
Nicholas Carter has been announced as Music Director of Staatsoper Stuttgart and Staatsorchester Stuttgart from the 2026-27 season. Carter will complete his tenure as Chief Conductor and Co-Operndirektor in Bern with the current season and will spend the 2025-26 season both debuting at and returning to major opera houses in the US and Europe before he starts in Stuttgart.
Markus Poschner has been appointed as the eighth Music Director in Utah Symphony‘s 84-year history, marking his first relationship with a US orchestra. The German conductor will serve as Music Director Designate immediately before assuming full duties in the 2027-28 season. Following his acclaimed US conducting debut with the orchestra in December 2022, Poschner brings extensive European experience to Utah, including his current roles as Chief Conductor of Bruckner Orchestra Linz and Orchestra della Svizzera italiana.
