Classical Music News

London's Philharmonia Appoints New CEO

April 29, 2022

2 MIN READ

Founded in 1945, and led by Principal Conductor Santtu-Matias Rouvali, the Philharmonia is based in London at Southbank Centre’s Royal Festival Hall, resident in cities and at festivals across England, and streams online.

"‘The Philharmonia is one of the world's great orchestras," Thorben Dittes said. "It also was the first orchestra I experienced in London as a student over twenty years ago, when I fell in love with its distinctive sound.

"It is an honour and a privilege to join the organisation at this artistically exciting moment and to work with Santtu, Lord King, the board, the players and the administrative team to shape a future which connects the orchestra's tremendous legacy with a truly 21st-century vision of what a symphony orchestra can be."

“I am delighted that, after an intensive international search, the Philharmonia has been able to attract Thorben Dittes to take the Orchestra forward," added Lord King of Lothbury, Chair of the Philharmonia. "We all look forward to working with him.”

Before taking on the new position with the Philharmonia, Dittes served as Director of the Royal Northern Sinfonia & Classical Music Programme at Sage Gateshead starting in 2014.

Amidst the challenges of the pandemic, Thorben launched a Rapid Recruitment Drive to fill orchestral positions, established a new series of live-streamed concerts, developed a multi-year partnership with the Royal Philharmonic Society to support female conductors, and most recently co-created the After Dark Festival with BBC Radio 3.

Prior to his current role, he was the CEO of Glasgow's Scottish Ensemble for four years and the Artistic Planning Manager at Monteverdi Choir & Orchestra.

Growing up in Germany, Dittes graduated in Arts Management from the London South Bank University. He is a Director of both the Association of British Orchestras and the British Association of Concert Halls, while also on the membership committee for the International Society for the Performing Arts.

He has also been an assessor for PRS for Music Foundations and served on juries for European Concert Halls Organisation, Royal Philharmonic Society, and Royal Over-Seas League.