How long should you run a festival?
UncategorizedTen to fifteen years seems about right, but some just go on and on. Here’s a selection
The pianist Anne-Marie McDermott (pic) decided this week to step down as artistic director at Bravo! Vail in 2026, having joined in 2010.
Roger Wright is leaving Aldeburgh after 10 years, have previously put in 16 years at Radio 3 and the BBC Proms.
Michael Haefliger will be leaving the Lucerne Festival next year, after quarter of a century.
Markus Hinterhäuser has signoed on for two five-year terms at the Salzburg Summer Festival and has yet to declare if he wants a third.
Katharina Wagner has run the Bayreuth Festival since 2008, the first seven years jointly with her half-sister, Eva.
Ivan Fischer has conducted the Budapest Festival Orchestra for 31 years.
The average recent directorship of the Edinburgh International Festival is eight years.
May Ivan Fischer conduct his orchestra for another 31 years. At least!
If you are getting great results and enjoying doing it why does it matter how long you do it.
Ask the professional musicians for a change, not the star-worshipping sycophants that can’t tell the difference between artistry and accidentally scraping a chair across the floor.
Until the money runs out. What a great career to have.