English Chamber Orchestra Announces Two Major Appointments

Roberto Forés Veses will become the orchestra's Principal Guest Conductor, while beloved leader Stephanie Gonley has received the new title of Leader and Principal

The English Chamber Orchestra (ECO) has recently made two significant appointments. The first sees the Spanish conductor Roberto Forés Veses step into the role of Principal Guest Conductor, while the second sees longstanding ECO leader Stephanie Gonley receive the new title of Leader and Principal.

A former winner of the Evgeny Svetlanov International Conducting Competition and Luigi Mancinelli International Opera Conductors Competition, Roberto Forés Veses spent nine years as Chief Conductor and Artistic Director of the Orchestre National d’Auvergne.

He has conducted several leading orchestras, including the NHK Symphony, the St Petersburg Symphony, and the Orchestre National de Lyon. He has also made more than a dozen recordings, for Warner Classics, Aparte, and the Orchestre National d’Auvergne’s own label.

Stephanie Gonley has been leader of the ECO since 1991, and frequently appears with the group as director and soloist. In addition, Gonley performed solo with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, London Philharmonic Orchestra, Philharmonia, and the BBC Symphony Orchestra, among others.

"The connection between Roberto and the orchestra was clear from the first moment," said James Rutherford, the ECO's General Manager. "Over the two seasons he has worked with us, he has shown a real mastery across a very wide range of repertoire."

"We knew of Roberto as one of the best orchestra conductors around today, with a very deep understanding of chamber orchestras, and we are delighted to be continuing our musical journey with him in an official capacity. We're delighted to take our relationship with him to this next level."

"I am delighted to be part of the ECO's future as Leader and Principal," said Stephanie Gonley. "I have been leader of this orchestra for more than 30 years and have been privileged to work with many inspirational musicians who have contributed to the quality and flavor of the ECO. I am looking forward to continuing and developing this process into the future."