John Storgårds has extended his tenure as Chief Conductor of the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra until Summer 2028. Having been appointed Chief Conductor in November 2022, he previously served as Chief Guest Conductor from 2017, following his initial appointment as Principal Guest Conductor in 2012. Renowned for leading major symphonic cycles and championing new voices, Storgårds will conduct a semi-staged performance of Shostakovich’s The Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk District at the 2025 BBC Proms, alongside a full schedule for the
2025–26 season.
Ingrid Martin has been appointed Assistant Conductor and Phillip and Lauren Fisher Community Ambassador of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, effective from the 2025–26 season. She will also assume the role of Music Director of the Detroit Symphony Youth Orchestra, succeeding Na’Zir McFadden. Australian-born Martin is known for her unique background spanning medicine, teaching and music, combining her artistic excellence with a strong commitment to education and community engagement. She brings extensive experience as a guest conductor across Australia and New Zealand and has developed a global profile through her Conducting Artistry platform.
André de Ridder has been appointed Music Director of English National Opera (ENO), officially assuming the role in Autumn 2027 after serving as Music Director Designate from September 2025. He succeeds Martyn Brabbins, who resigned in October 2023 citing concerns over proposed cuts and job losses. Currently General Music Director of Theater Freiburg, De Ridder is renowned for his adventurous programming and extensive international experience. His appointment comes as ENO continues to build its next chapter across London and Greater Manchester.
Venezuelan-Armenian conductor Domingo Hindoyan will become LA Opera’s Richard Seaver Music Director on 1 July 2026, succeeding James Conlon at the end of his 20th season. Hindoyan, currently Chief Conductor of the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, made his LA Opera debut in 2024 with Gounod’s Roméo et Juliette, following a Los Angeles Philharmonic debut earlier that year. His five-year contract will run until the end of the 2030-31 season.
Alexander Shelley will step down as Music Director of Canada’s National Arts Centre Orchestra in July 2026, marking the conclusion of his 11-year tenure. Appointed in 2015 at age 35 to succeed Pinchas Zukerman, Shelley became the youngest Music Director in the orchestra’s history and has since led it through a period of artistic growth, national and international touring, and critically acclaimed programming and recordings. A champion of Canadian creativity, Shelley commissioned over 50 new works, spearheaded multimedia projects such as Life Reflected, UNDISRUPTED and UAQUE, and launched mentorship programmes for emerging artists. His final season will feature the orchestra’s debut tour to Korea and a return to Japan after
four decades.
Miho Hazama has been appointed Principal Guest Conductor of the Norwegian Radio Orchestra (KORK), effective from the start of the 2025-26 season. Known for her innovative blend of contemporary classical and jazz, Hazama brings a distinctive voice and visionary artistry to the role. She will focus on leading jazz and crossover concerts, furthering KORK’s commitment to diverse musical programming.
Marin Alsop has been named Honorary Conductor of the ORF Radio-Symphonieorchester Wien, recognising her six-year tenure as Chief Conductor. During her leadership, the orchestra made its BBC Proms debut at the Royal Albert Hall in 2022 and toured Spain, France and Japan. Highlights of this partnership include a Grammy-nominated recording of John Adams’ City Noir.
Toronto-born conductor Nicholas Sharma will return home to take up the dual post of RBC Resident Conductor of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra (TSO) and Conductor of the Toronto Symphony Youth Orchestra (TSYO), beginning in the 2025-26 season. Sharma succeeds Trevor Wilson and will serve in the role until the end of the 2026-27 season. As RBC Resident Conductor, he will work closely with Music Director Gustavo Gimeno, conduct select performances, including Dvořák Symphony No. 7 and The Composer Is Dead, support mainstage programming, and join the orchestra on tours.
