Conductor Jakub Hrůša Extends Contract at the Bamberg Symphony Through to 2029

Hrůša, who is also Music Director Designate at the Royal Opera House Covent Garden, has garnered a number of awards since his initial appointment in Bamberg

Czech conductor Jakub Hrůša has accepted the offer of an extension to his contract at the Bamberg Symphony, and will now work with the orchestra through to the conclusion of the 2028/29 season. Hrůša first accepted the position as the orchestra's Chief Conductor in September 2016, and since that time has contributed to building the orchestra's world-class reputation.

During his tenure in Bamberg, Hrůša has been awarded the Bavarian Culture Prize, as well as the Conductor of the Year prize at the OPUS KLASSIK Awards 2023. His recording of Hans Rott's Symphony no. 1 also received the ICMA Prize for Symphonic Music, and his interpretation of Mahler's Symphony no. 4 won the 2021 German Record Critics' Award.

Alongside his role in Bamberg, Hrůša is also Music Director Designate of the Royal Opera House Covent Garden, Principal Guest Conductor of the Czech Philharmonic, and Principal Guest Conductor of the Orchestra dell'Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia.

"The beautiful collective of the Bamberg Symphony, the musicians, the management, the whole institution with its public, has become a warm and harmonious home for me," Hrůša said. "Our work together has been a really thrilling adventure in seeking for, and finding, new trajectories of programming, novel recording projects, representing our culture abroad, and community-building."

"We have so many amazing plans together that several lifetimes would not be enough for fulfilling them," he added. "For this and many other reasons I feel happy that we will continue to be such a beautiful team and that I am extending my tenure in Bamberg for three more years. I cannot wait to deepen my profound relationship with my orchestra."

"It must be a kind of love: the connection between Jakub Hrůša and the Bamberg Symphony is something very special," said Markue Blume, the Bavarian Minister of State for Science and the Arts. "Jakub Hrůša gives the Bamberg Symphony sound and soul. The fruits of this inspiring partnership can be seen in countless outstanding and moving musical moments that delight audiences in Bavaria and far beyond!"