London's Royal Opera House Names New Music Director

The Czech conductor Jakub Hrůša will succeed Antonio Pappano at the conclusion of the 2023/24 season

(Photo credit: Ian Ehm)

The Royal Opera House recently named Czech conductor Jakub Hrůša as its new Music Director. Hrůša is set to succeed longstanding Music Director Antonio Pappano, who has been in the role for 22 years, in September 2024.

Hrůša has been Chief Conductor of the Bamberg Symphony since 2016 — and is also currently the Principal Guest Conductor of the Czech Philharmonic and Principal Guest Conductor of the Orchestra dell’Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia.

He is no stranger to the Royal Opera House, having conducted critically acclaimed performances of Carmen (2018) and Lohengrin (2022) there. Hrůša told the Guardian that he did not have even the faintest inkling that he was being considered for the role, and is immensely grateful to be able to spend more time working with the ROH's musicians.

"I have always dreamed about a long-term relationship with a house where one can reach the highest standards in opera, and I realized very quickly that I adored the whole team of artists and staff at Covent Garden," Hrůša said of the appointment.

"I am thrilled to accept the position of Music Director, and I feel immensely excited about the future collaboration. London is not just a place I have loved living and working but will now be precious to me as my true artistic home in the field of opera. I feel blessed that I can devote my skills and energies to the future of this extraordinary opera house."

"Jakub has proven himself to be one of today’s most exciting conductors in both the symphonic and operatic repertory," said Oliver Mears, the Director of the Royal Opera.

"We have been hugely impressed by not only his superlative music and theatre-making, but also by the generosity and warmth of his personality: Jakub is a true collaborator, able to get the very best from his colleagues. As a musician of high intellect, thoughtfulness, and a deep conviction in the power of music to change us, he is the perfect fit for Covent Garden."