Conductor Alan Gilbert has renewed his contract as Music Director of the Royal Swedish Opera (RSO) until the end of 2029, with possibility of further extension.

The conductor began his tenure with the company in 2021, and was named Royal Court Kapellmeister by the King of Sweden a year later.

In a statement regarding his extension Gilbert said, “Sweden is my home – it is where I live with my family, but it is also a crucial center of my musical life. Having the possibility to continue my work at the Royal Swedish Opera is incredibly important and meaningful to me as it is here that I have found a group of musicians and colleagues who share my love of opera and also my lofty ambitions for the company.”

Fredrik Lindgren, CEO of the Royal Swedish Opera, added, “It is with great pride and honor that I can announce the continued collaboration between the
Royal Swedish Opera and Alan Gilbert. Alan’s contribution to our artistic development and musical excellence is key in our ambition to be a leading opera house. It is a particular pleasure to make this announcement at the beginning of 2026, the year of the Royal Swedish Orchestra’s 500th anniversary, which also marks the final year in our current opera house ahead of its renovation and modernization.”

Gilbert recently conducted “Wozzeck,” “Parsifal,” and “Rusalka” with the company. He is also now in his seventh season as Chief Conductor of Hamburg’s NDR Elbphilharmonie Orchestra. He previously served as Music Director of the New York Philharmonic and Chief Conductor of the Royal Stockholm Philharmonic, where he is now Conductor Laureate.

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