The Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra has appointed conductor Cristian Măcelaru as the 14th Music Director in the Orchestra’s 129-year history.

The conductor will succeed Louis Langrée and will begin his five-year term as Music Director in the 2024-25 season, serving as Music Director Designate in the first year of his term.

Măcelaru is currently the Music Director of the Orchestre National de France, Artistic Director of the George Enescu Festival and Competition in Bucharest, Romania, and Chief Conductor of the WDR Sinfonieorchester in Cologne.

In the United States, Măcelaru serves as the Artistic Director and Principal Conductor of the Interlochen Center for the Arts’ World Youth Symphony Orchestra and Music Director and Conductor of the Cabrillo Festival of Contemporary Music in Santa Cruz.

In a statement, Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra Board Chair Dianne Rosenberg said, “We are thrilled to announce the appointment of Cristian Mӑcelaru as the Orchestra’s next Music Director. In addition to his exceptional artistry, collaborative spirit and strong leadership of orchestras around the world, including in the United States, Cristian understands and embraces the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra’s vision to become the most relevant orchestra in America. We look forward to the CSO’s bright future under Cristian’s leadership.”

Măcelaru added, “I am overjoyed and humbled by the opportunity to become Music Director of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra. The Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra has consistently upheld a well-proven standard of artistic excellence and innovation, in combination with a unique focus on the community it serves. The invitation to lead the superb musicians who form this Orchestra, building an even stronger legacy together, is only enhanced by the warmth and closeness of the community that I’ve experienced in Cincinnati. It is with deep respect to my predecessors and commitment to the Orchestra’s future that I look forward to sharing the wonderful music we make with the greater Cincinnati community and the world.”

The Romanian conductor first led the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra for Cincinnati Opera’s production of Verdi’s “Il Trovatore” in 2015  and later made his Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra debut in 2016.