Benjamin Schwartz has been named director of artistic planning at the Sydney Symphony Orchestra. He is currently assistant artistic administrator with the Boston Symphony Orchestra, a role which he has held since 2006, and artistic administrator of the Saito Kinen Festival Matsumoto in Japan. Managing director of the Sydney Symphony, Rory Jeffes, said of Schwartz: ‘He comes with superb musical credentials and extensive knowledge of artists and repertoire. He will work with our incoming chief conductor David Robertson on developing seasons that will inspire our audiences and keep the Sydney Symphony Orchestra at the forefront of orchestral music in Australia and around the world.’
Scottish Ballet has appointed Norman Murray (pictured) as its chairman of the board of directors. Murray is currently non-executive chairman of Petrofac, a FTSE 100 international oil services company, and chairman of The Edrington Group, which produces and distributes several famous whisky brands. A long-term supporter of the Scottish Ballet, he has also held senior positions at RBS, Charterhouse and Deutsche Bank. The company’s chief executive, Cindy Sughrue, said: ‘Norman brings with him commercial savvy and incredible experience in Scotland and beyond. He will help us develop further opportunities with our existing partners and open new doors for the company.’ Murray succeeds Zoe van Zwanenberg, who is standing down after nine years in the role.
Riccardo Chailly will succeed Daniel Barenboim as music director of La Scala. Chailly made his opera debut in 1978 at the Milanese opera house, and went on to top positions at Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra, Teatro Comunale di Bologna, and Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra. He is currently music director of Leipzig Opera, and will take up his position at La Scala in January 2015.