Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra Announces New Principal Guest Conductor

English conductor Mark Wigglesworth will join the orchestra this season for a period of three years

Wigglesworth will work alongside Principal Conductor Kirill Karabits, who has been with the orchestra in the South of England for 11 years.

Wigglesworth first conducted the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra during its inaugural live streamed series last year. Next spring, he will conduct the BSO in Poole and Portsmouth, performing works of Mozart, Schubert, and Jonathan Dove.

Wigglesworth has previously worked with orchestras including the Berlin Philharmonic, Royal Concertgebouw, London Symphony, Boston Symphony, New York Philharmonic, Los Angeles Philharmonic, and Cleveland Orchestra.

“Mark’s reputation as a world-leading conductor in both the concert hall and opera house presents a great opportunity for the BSO and its audiences throughout the South West," said BSO’s Chief Executive Dougie Scarfe in an official press statement. "Whilst the pandemic presented a variety of challenges, forging this close creative partnership has been wonderful — with a clear and evident rapport, together Mark and the Orchestra create music-making of the highest order. We can’t wait to get started.”

“I have so enjoyed working with the wonderful musicians of the Bournemouth Symphony and am delighted to be able to continue to do this on a more regular basis," Wigglesworth said of his appointment. "The magnificent way the orchestra responded to the pandemic revealed very clearly to me the commitment the whole organization feels to its audience and to music itself. They kept music alive at a time when we all needed it most, and proved beyond doubt what a vital role music plays in helping us all stay connected, inspired, and hopeful.”