Pass the baton
Australian conductor Daniel Carter has been appointed Music Director of the Deutsches Nationaltheater and Staatskapelle Weimar from the beginning of the 2025-26 season. Currently General Music Director at Landestheater Coburg, Carter also conducts regularly at Deutsche Oper Berlin, where he recently led John Adams’ Nixon in China. In his new role, he will oversee the artistic development of the Staatskapelle as an opera orchestra, directing premieres, concerts, revivals and strengthening the opera ensemble and choir through intensive collaboration.
Kent Nagano has been appointed Principal Artistic Partner of the Filarmonica Toscanini, commencing with the 2025-26 season. Internationally acclaimed for his interpretative depth and innovative approach, Nagano will embark on a three-year partnership with the Parma-based orchestra, following his tenure as General Music Director of the Hamburg State Opera and Principal Conductor of the Philharmonisches Staatsorchester Hamburg. This new role marks the beginning of an exciting artistic journey, as Filarmonica Toscanini looks to further elevate its profile on the international stage under Nagano’s dynamic and forward-looking leadership.
Henning Kraggerud has been appointed Artistic Partner of the Irish Chamber Orchestra (ICO), beginning his three-year tenure in August 2025. Recognised as one of Norway’s leading violinists, violists and composers, Kraggerud’s partnership with the ICO follows acclaimed collaborations, including his orchestral arrangement of Bach’s Goldberg Variations. Alongside his role with the ICO, he serves as Artistic Director of the Arctic Philharmonic Chamber Orchestra.
Dawid Runtz has been appointed as Chief Conductor of the Liechtenstein Symphony Orchestra from the 2025-26 season, although he will appear at the Vaduz Classic Festival and the Wiener Konzerthaus with the orchestra this season. Runtz has been Chief Conductor of the Zagreb Philharmonic since 2021.
Madeleine Venner has been appointed Chorus Director of the London Philharmonic Choir (LPC), succeeding Neville Creed from the 2025-26 season. An award-winning choral director, Venner brings extensive experience from her work with Opera Rara, the Hallé Concerts Society and the Philharmonia Chorus. In her first season, she will prepare the Choir for performances with the London Philharmonic Orchestra under Edward Gardner and Sir Mark Elder and will work with the Choir’s Board on strategic planning ahead of its 80th anniversary in 2027. Venner’s appointment marks a new chapter for the LPC, as she becomes only the sixth Chorus Director in the ensemble’s distinguished history.
The London Philharmonic Orchestra has announced the appointment of Jesús Herrera as its new Artistic Director, effective from June 2025. Herrera joins from Intermusica, where he has been Director of Creative Partnerships and Projects, having previously served as an Artist Manager. His extensive experience includes leadership roles at the Orquesta Sinfónica de Castilla y León and the Centro Cultural Miguel Delibes, where he introduced innovative programming, artist residencies, youth initiatives and international collaborations with venues such as the Concertgebouw and Hamburg Elbphilharmonie.As Artistic Director, Herrera will work closely with CEO David Burke and collaborate with Principal Conductor Edward Gardner, Principal Guest Conductor Karina Canellakis and Conductor Emeritus Vladimir Jurowski. Herrera takes over from Elena Dubinets, who joins the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra as its new Artistic Director in May 2025.
Benjamin Perry Wenzelberg has been named Artistic Partner and Creative Associate of the Orchestra of the Eighteenth Century. In this role, Wenzelberg will conduct, compose and curate innovative projects, including a new production of Le nozze di Figaro in autumn 2025. This partnership builds on his successful debut conducting Haydn’s La fedeltà premiata with the orchestra earlier this year.
Joseph Mechavich has been appointed Interim Artistic Director of Piedmont Opera, bringing with him a distinguished international career as a conductor and opera leader. Renowned for his innovative programming and commitment to both classic and contemporary repertoire, Mechavich will oversee the company’s artistic direction for the 2025–26 season. He joins Piedmont Opera at a pivotal moment, aiming to build on its rich legacy and foster new collaborations, ensuring the company remains a regional and national leader in operatic excellence.
