Mozarteumorchester Salzburg Names New Chief Conductor

35-year-old Spanish conductor Roberto González-Monjas will step into the role

Spanish conductor Roberto González-Monjas will assume the position as the new Chief Conductor of the Mozarteumorchester Salzburg at the opening of the 2024/25 season. González-Monjas is no stranger to the orchestra, having worked with them previously in a range of different capacities: as conductor, violin soloist, and chamber musician.

González-Monjas is presently Music Director designate of the Galician Symphony Orchestra in Spain, Chief Conductor and Artistic Advisor of Dalasinfoniettan in Sweden (since the 2019/20 season), Chief Conductor of Musikkollegium Winterthur in Switzerland (since the 2021/22 season), Principal Guest Conductor of the Belgian National Orchestra (since the 2022/23 season), and Artistic Director of Iberacademy in Colombia.

"Words can’t possibly describe how excited I am to become the new Chief Conductor of the Mozarteumorchester Salzburg!" González-Monjas said. "I fell in love with the orchestra during our first encounter, back in 2019; it felt as if we spoke the same language, and I truly admired its musicians' eloquence and musical intelligence."

"Over the years, our connection only grew stronger, and every further collaboration became a source of inspiration and joy. For someone as fascinated as I am by the music of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, it is deeply humbling to be taking over the reins of this historical orchestra."

The Mozarteumorchester Salzburg was founded in 1841 by Mozart's sons Franz Xaver and Karl Thomas Mozart and is presently directed by Riccardo Minasi. The orchestra performs in several Salzburg venues, including the Great Hall of the International Mozarteum Foundation.

"With Roberto González-Monjas, we have gained an internationally distinguished conductor and musician who embodies what our institution is all about: the constant renewal and revitalization of the music of all epochs, but especially the works of Mozart," said Siegwald Bütow, the orchestra's General Manager.

"With his remarkable artistic abilities, profound knowledge of tradition, curiosity and contagious enthusiasm, Roberto González-Monjas is the ideal Chief Conductor for the Mozarteumorchester Salzburg."