The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra has announced that Vasily Petrenko will extend his contract as Music Director through to 2030.

Petrenko will lead the RPO into its next artistic chapter, further strengthening its position as one of the world’s great orchestras in London, across the UK, and internationally.

The contract extension recognizes the profound artistic leadership that Vasily Petrenko has brought to the Orchestra since he started his tenure in August 2021.

Petrenko will now remain with the orchestra until 2030

In a statement, Petrenko said “I am delighted to be extending my contract as Music Director of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra through to 2030. We have achieved so much in recent years, but the potential exists to raise the bar even higher. The RPO, with its outstanding musicians and clear vision from management, has a very modern approach and we want to continue striking the right balance between delivering benchmark performances with being creative, original and attracting new audiences to the orchestral world. Together we have grown artistically during the most challenging circumstances of recent years, and now is the time for our shared vision for excellence to be realised in the world’s leading concert halls.”

James Williams, Managing Director of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra added, “Everyone at the RPO is delighted that Vasily is committing to the Orchestra through to 2030. In the last year, the RPO has enjoyed record attendance figures for our concerts in London and around the UK and the artistic leadership that Vasily brings to the Orchestra – both on and off the podium – will help us in our ambition to enrich lives through orchestral experiences that are uncompromising in their excellence and inclusive in their appeal.”