(Credit: Lisa-Marie Mazzucco)

The Governing Council of the Consorci de L’Auditori i l’Orquestra approved the proposal put forward by the Director of L’Auditori, Robert Brufau to appoint Ludovic Morlot as the new Music Director of the Orquestra Simfònica de Barcelona i Nacional de Catalunya.

“With Ludovic Morlot at the helm, the OBC reaches an international level and will defend the role that symphonic music has to play in the 21st century. Morlot has proven his capacity to promote the artistic growth of large groups that, thanks to his leadership, have achieved great success. Modernity and rigor are part of his DNA as an artist, and this is evident in everything he does, from management to the stage with full awareness of the challenges of modern society,” said Brufau in an official press statement.

“I so enjoyed working with OBC musicians and the management team at l’Auditori for their energy in crafting beautiful performances and their curiosity and love of music. This is an honor and privilege to be invited to lead these extraordinary musicians into the next chapter and be dreaming together of a new future for this inspiring organization. I look forward very much to broadening the repertoire of the orchestra as well as to learn more about the rich Catalan musical heritage. To be adding my voice to the work accomplished by previous Music Director Kashushi Ono is a challenge I look forward to with pride and great anticipation,” said Morlot of his appointment.

Morlot is currently Conductor Emeritus of the Seattle Symphony. The conductor has performed with such orchestras as the Berlin Philharmonic, Royal Concertgebouw, Czech Philharmonic, Dresden Staatskapelle, London Philharmonic, Budapest Festival, New York Philharmonic, Chicago Symphony, Philadelphia Orchestra, and Boston Symphony Orchestra, among others. Morlot held the title of the Music Director of La Monnaie between 2012 and 2014.

The French conductor will assume his new position in September 2022 for the following four seasons.