The Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra (RCO) will be without a leader for at least another three years. RCO’s interim director David Bazen made the revelation in an interview with Dutch newspaper Het Parool.
RCO has been without a music director since Daniele Gatti resigned in 2018 over sexual harassment allegations. He was soon followed in 2019 by managing director Jan Raes, whose handling of the Gatti situation was criticised by some.
Gatti denied the allegations and said he would sue the orchestra. He reached a settlement with RCO in April 2019.
A number of conductors have since been linked to the post, including Jaap van Zweden, Andris Nelsons and Ivan Fischer. Fischer is now signed on as RCO’s honorary guest conductor.
“All conductors who would qualify, or who could qualify in the future if their development goes in the right direction, already have commitments in the coming years,” said Bazen in the interview.
He added that: “A chef is essential for brand formation and international positioning.”
RCO has never been without a chief conductor for more than two years since it was formed in 1888.
