Opera star Antonio Pappano takes Simon Rattle’s baton as he replaces him at London Symphony Orchestra
- New man to lead UK’s orchestra has been at Covent Garden opera since 2002
- Sir Antonio, 61, said his new job at the LSO was a ‘dream come true’
- He takes over an orchestra which has been shaped into one of the world’s best
Sir Simon Rattle will be replaced as chief conductor of the London Symphony Orchestra by long-standing Royal Opera House supremo Sir Antonio Pappano.
The new man at the helm of the UK’s leading orchestra has been at the Covent Garden opera since 2002.
English-Italian conductor and pianist Sir Antonio, 61, who will start at the LSO in 2024, said his new job was a ‘dream come true’.
He takes over an orchestra which has been shaped into one of the very best in the world under Sir Simon, 65.
Sir Simon Rattle (left) will be replaced as chief conductor of the London Symphony Orchestra by long-standing Royal Opera House supremo Sir Antonio Pappano (right)
The classical music superstar announced his departure in January to take over at the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra in Munich, saying he wanted to be closer to his young family, who live in Germany.
Antonio said: ‘I am committed to keeping London as my musical home and look forward to this most important journey that awaits me, full not only of discovery but also of continued exploration of technological and broadcast opportunities to convey the message of music to an ever greater audience.’
The English-Italian conductor and pianist has been the music director of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden since 2002.
He was previously the music director of La Monnaie, the Belgian Royal Opera House, a post he had held for ten years.
The new man at the helm of the UK’s leading orchestra (pictured) has been at the Covent Garden opera since 2002
In January, Sir Simon, who lives in Berlin with his wife, singer Magdalena Kozena, and their three children, signed an initial five year contract with the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra.
The company shared pictures of Sir Simon signing the papers.
In a statement, he said: ‘My reasons for accepting the role of Principal Conductor in Munich are entirely personal, enabling me to better manage the balance of my work and be close enough to home to be present for my children in a meaningful way.’
He will take up a lifetime role as Conductor Emeritus from 2023 onwards, following in the footsteps of André Previn.
Sir Simon had championed plans for a new concert hall to be built where the Museum of London is. In February these were formally scrapped.