The Royal Opera House has named Antonio Pappano, the first Conductor Laureate of The Royal Opera, effective immediately.

Following a 22-year tenure as Music Director, the title recognizes Pappano’s legacy as the longest-serving Music Director in Covent Garden history. He conducted over 700 performances from September 2002 to June 2024, and in future Seasons he’ll conduct regularly, including the final two instalments of the Ring cycle, directed by Barrie Kosky.

The news comes ahead of the premiere of The Royal Opera’s new production of Wagner’s “Die Walküre,” which marks the first time Pappano returns to conduct the Orchestra of the Royal Opera House since officially handing over the baton to Jakub Hrůša, who takes up his tenure as Music Director in September 2025.

In a statement, Pappano said, “It is a huge honour to receive this title, and I am delighted to continue to have a relationship with this House which is very dear to me. Opera is an extraordinary art form, full of drama, emotion and relevance and I look forward to returning to work on incredible productions alongside colleagues who are also friends.’

Oliver Mears, Director of Opera, The Royal Opera added, “For more than two decades, Tony has done more to define Covent Garden’s identity than anyone else. His boundless love for opera is matched only by his tireless determination to apply the utmost rigour and energy to every aspect of making it: conducting, getting the best out of singers, mining the text, communicating the art form’s wider purpose, and creating an atmosphere of togetherness and approachability. In his time here, he fostered not only exemplary standards, but a feeling of unsnobbish company which is central to the success of any collective artistic endeavour. It is wonderful that we are able to recognise Tony’s achievements with this title.”

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