Munich Broadcast Symphony Orchestra’s ‘Maestro of the Orchestra’
“The National Symphony’s strengths are flexibility, openness, curiosity”
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On the 15th, it was announced that the National Symphony Orchestra has appointed world-renowned Italian conductor Roberto Abbado (70) as its 8th Artistic Director. His term will last for three years until January 1, 2026.
Roberto Abbado, who is the nephew of the ‘conducting master’ Claudio Abbado, is currently serving as the principal conductor of the Bologna City Philharmonic. He has previously served as the music director of the Munich Broadcast Symphony Orchestra, the Parma Verdi Festival, and the Queen Sofia Palace of the Arts. When he took over the Munich Broadcast Symphony Orchestra in 1992, which had been without a music director for three years, he led the orchestra for seven years, expanding its repertoire and establishing a distinctive musical identity that propelled the orchestra’s resurgence.
Known as the ‘Maestro of the Orchestra,’ Abbado is praised as “a conductor with a densely programmed season, mature interpretative skills, and a vast repertoire.” He was awarded the ‘Premio Abbiati’ cultural merit award by the Italian Music Critics Association (ANCM).
Additionally, Abbado has partnered with RCA Records, resulting in a discography of 14 works. Among these, Rossini’s opera “Tancredi” earned him the Echo Klassik German Record Prize in 1997, and Bellini’s opera “The Capulets and the Montagues” was nominated for BBC Magazine’s ‘Record of the Year’ in 1999.
The first encounter between Roberto Abbado and the National Symphony Orchestra was in 2023 during the planned opera “Norma” at the Arts Center. Subsequently, in March, they performed Verdi’s “Requiem” during a regular concert of the National Symphony, receiving immense praise for their precise technique and intrinsic interpretation, which elevated the orchestra’s artistic standing.
Artistic Director Roberto Abbado highlighted that the National Symphony Orchestra’s outstanding performance abilities and musical talents are complemented by its strengths in open-mindedness, flexibility, and curiosity to explore new directions. He expressed great anticipation for the music they will create together.
A representative from the National Symphony Orchestra stated, “With Roberto, who has led world-renowned orchestras, we aim to further illuminate the value that the National Symphony has built over the past 40 years. As the orchestra of the people, we intend to present performances that befit the prestige of a national artistic organization.”