The Teatro Real de Madrid has announced that Gustavo Gimeno will be its new music director starting in September of 2025.

Gimeno is the music director of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra and Luxeumbourg Philharmonic Orchestra and has worked with such companies as the Zurich Opera, Liceu de Barcelona, Palau de les Arts de Valencia, the Amsterdam Concertgebouw Orchestra, the Orchestre de Paris, the Berlin Philharmonic, the Cleveland Orchestra, the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra, the San Francisco Symphony, and the Los Angeles Philharmonic. He was unanimously approved by the Executive Committee and Board of Trustees of the Teatro Real.

He will take over for Ivor Bolton, whose tenure ends in July 2025. He will continue his relationship with the company after the 2025-26 season, as will Principal Guest Conductor Pablo Heras-Casado.

“I am so incredibly honored that I will be the next Music Director of Teatro Real Madrid. Only a few months ago, I had the opportunity to conduct Prokofiev’s Fiery Angel there and enjoyed one of the most enriching musical experiences of my career,” said Gimeno in an official press statement. “I cannot wait to start working intensively with all the fantastic artists and professionals who make Teatro Real one of the greatest opera houses in the world – as well as with their resident ensembles, the Orquesta Sinfonica de Madrid and Intermezzo Choir. I will do all I can to serve this illustrious institution and uphold its reputation for the highest artistic standards. I could not be happier!”

Meanwhile, Nicola Luisotti, who is one of the company’s Principal Guest Conductors was appointed as Conductor Emeritus for his regular presence with the company. He will work closely with Gimeno when his tenure begins.