New Covent Garden chief clings to his other jobs
OrchestrasThe Czech conductor Jakub Hrůša, who becomes music director of the Royal Opera House in September 2025, has just renewed his contract as head of the Bamberg Symphony until 2029.
Hrůša, 42, is also principal guest conductor of the Czech Philharmonic.
This must mean he’s out for the Chicago job ? In any case he works very well with Bamberg.
Bamberg only a cough and a spit from London as opposed to an exhausting long and time changing trip to Chicago!
Chicago is unfortunately already a done deal for Klaus Mäkelä, mark my word
It’s what we keep hearing, but evasion sets in when a contract approaches.
Announcement coming after the CSO European tour, who it is or for what position I still don’t know.
It is Mäkelä, it’s one of the worst kept secrets in the industry. HP are gonna burn the poor guy out before he’s 30.
What makes Mäkelä choose Chicago over Cleveland?
Isn’t Franz Welser-Möst under contract there through at least 2027?
Well, if Mäkelä signs with Chicago, he won’t be able to start there until 2027 at the earliest either. Cleveland is clearly interested and has a longer and closer working relationship with him.
But how could that work, if his contract with Amsterdam starts in 2027? Would he conduct both orchestras? Or would he cancel the Dutch contract?
Isn’t he going to the Concertgebouw, Norman?
I doubt he’s to Chicago’s liking; I can see JH there.
More fool them. Hrusa, IMO is the best conductor around today. From what I’ve heard so far, he’s way above Makela.
He’s much older than Makela. Give Makela time. Even the oldies of the Orchestre de Paris are very impressed by him.
A good conductor. Not the best around, not great, but good.
Oh yes, yes!!!!
But Jeff can’t close the deal! I suppose he keeps pushing the “special afternoons benefit package” which he allows Muti to use up every day he’s in town; but it falls flat with the young and beautiful Makela, he doesn’t need it!
And also – Principal Guest Conductor of the Orchestra dell’Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia….
He actually had to give that post up in order to keep some free time for guesting, Harding is taking over
Hrusa was the principal guest conductor of the roman orchestra, when Pappano was its principal conductor. I don’t think much will change when Harding is the principal conductor. If anything, Hrusa could give up this role to have more time for Covent Garden.
Hrusa told me this himself, he is leaving the post to have time to do guest conducting around the world.
Clings?
Every major opera house music director has a non operatic orchestra as well. His performances with Bamberg are wonferful especially a recent stunning 4 Last Songs in Vienna with Corinne Winters.
Wasn’t Pappano with Santa Cecilia at the same time he was at Covent Garden? So what’s the difference?
And again with the headline “clings” – very Daily Mail of you.
Still really hoping for Hrusa in Chicago – was hoping that him being the only conductor getting two weeks with the orchestra this year might mean something – but I guess we’ll see. It seems that the CSO requires the biggest name available – you can almost see the disdain on the associate concertmaster’s face when she has to shake hands with anyone but a superstar. (I noticed this with Harding in particular)
She does give out a really strange vibe, she’s even annoyingly obnoxious even when tuning the orchestra. I guess it’s contagious because Chen’s attitude has also been stinking for quite a while, just like his intonation. Too bad the new MD won’t be able to do anything to replace them.
Did you mention Harding as example of a big name or not being one? If not what bigger name are they in search for? Mäkelä?
I think the CSO sees themselves as an orchestra worthy of someone like Rattle or Chailly. They may indeed be, but I’m not sure those names are interested in a US MD post.
Well… I can’t say I ever read anything ‘disdainful’ from musicians. Maybe some conductors don’t get as much visually warm welcome from the orchestra as others (like Alsop from what I can tell. She also doesn’t show up on this year’s calendar but still conducts Ravinia)
Nikolaj Znaider also conducts 2 weeks this season, but I guess he’s not a big name that Chicago wants if Harding doesn’t count as one
Hrusa is a very good conductor, great professional. Still waiting for he would be more than that…. Where’s passion? Where’s let go?
I’ve long thought Hrusa would be a perfect fit for Cleveland, whose future MD prospects seems utterly devoid of rumors these days.
Absent some unforeseen event, I suspect Cleveland would prefer to have someone lined up if and when FWM’s time is up. Historically, management has not been as effective as Chicago in pulling in the top tier conductors. That said, all the names bantered about here have had success in Cleveland. Hrsua has not always persuaded me however. I was more impressed by Harding’s Mahler 4 last week than Hrsua’s from a few seasons ago. Personally I’d like to see more of Vasilly Pretrenko.