The Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra has a new artistic team for its 2024/25 season.
Mark Wigglesworth arrives as Chief Conductor whilst Chloé van Soeterstède becomes Principal Guest Conductor with a shared Brahms cycle.
In addition, Enyi Okpara makes his BSO debut as the new Calleva Assistant Conductor.
This year also marks the Orchestra’s fifth year of live broadcasting from Lighthouse, Poole.
Violinist Alena Baeva becomes the BSO’s Artist-in-Residence, appearing in concerto performances and a chamber recital with pianist Vadym Kholodenko, in addition to BSO Participate workshops.
Kirill Karabits OBE, in his new role of Conductor Laureate & Artistic Director, Voices from the East, unites with accordionist Ksenija Sidorova, who makes her BSO debut.
BSO Participate deepens its broad range of health and wellbeing and music education initiatives, including a new residency in partnership with NHS Dorset, an expansion of its creative health work across the region, and the extension of the BSO Young Associates community music training scheme.
Mark Wigglesworth said: “I hope that regular friends of the BSO will continue to be inspired by what we do and that newcomers will be thrilled to discover how a live concert can create an emotional space of infinite possibilities.”
Dougie Scarfe OBE DL, Chief Executive of the BSO, added: “We’ll continue to deepen our reach into local communities, from the expansion of our creative health and wellbeing work to a new partnership with NHS Dorset.
“We are excited to step into the new era of Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra with our brilliant artistic team — welcoming conductors Mark Wigglesworth, Chloé van Soeterstède and Enyi Okpara, who each bring such extraordinary energy and dynamism — and a host of brilliant guest artists, including Alena Baeva, who becomes Artist-in-Residence.
“Whether you’re joining us in the concert hall, a community hall or online we can’t wait to share our live music with you over the coming months.”