Vienna boss abolishes music director role at the Opera

The director of the Vienna State Opera, Bogdan Roščić, has said that the role of music director will cease to exist after Philippe Jordan leaves in 2025.

Here is what he tells Der Standard:
‘The post of music director has always been a special case in Vienna, because the State Opera’s musical identity is also very much its orchestra. This is unique in this form. And the orchestra has its own ideas, also because of its second identity as the Philharmonic. A very famous conductor said to me: “Your orchestra just wants promiscuity.”

‘Historically, the State Opera has been without a music director for much longer than with one. Both models can have major advantages and disadvantages. As of September 2025, the house will have no music director. I will then concentrate on working intensively with a group of important conductors.’

Meaning that all major music decisions will be in his executive hands.

Is that what the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra really wants?