Stuttgart’s SWR Symphonieorchester has announced François-Xavier Roth as its Principal Conductor and Artistic Director.

The conductor will take over the position during the 2025-26 season and will succeed Teodor Currentzis, who has held the position since 2018.

Regarding his appointment, Roth said, “I feel very honored to accept the position of Principal Conductor and Artistic Director of the SWR Symphonieorchester from 2025. This still young orchestra has a unique DNA: the musicians are highly experienced and passionate advocates of the music of our time.’ He went on to say: ‘I look forward to our joint projects and challenges with all their educational, social and media possibilities to create a musical universe.”

Roth’s new contract will require him to work with the SWR Symphonieorchester for 14 weeks per season over his five-year contract. He will also devote himself to music education projects aimed at people of all ages, as well as international tours, conducting concert streams and recordings for radio and television, albums and DVDs.

Roth is currently the director of both the Gürzenich Orchestra and Oper Köln and is also Principal Guest Conductor of the London Symphony Orchestra and Artistic Director of the Atelier Lyrique de Tourcoing. He also continues to work closely with the orchestra founded by him, Les Siècles.