Portugal’s Orquestra do Algarve Appoints New Principal Conductor

The Spanish conductor Pablo Urbina will be succeeding Martim Sousa Tavares in the position

The Orquestra do Algarve has welcomed Pablo Urbina as its new Principal Conductor.

His first concert in his new role with the Orquestra do Algarve will be held on January 31, 2025, in works by Ruth Gipps, Malcolm Arnold, and Haydn. He succeeds Martim Sousa Tavares, who will be taking on the role of Artistic Director. 

Since 2019, Urbina has served as Principal Conductor of the London-based Vitae Orchestra. He is also an Ambassador for The Amber Trust UK, which provides music lessons and support to blind and partially sighted youth. 

His past roles have included Assistant Conductor of the Orquesta Sinfónica de Baleares, Associate Conductor of the Lerici Music Festival, Associate Conductor of the Al Bustan Music Festival, and Music Director of the City of London Orchestra.

He has also worked with the Spanish National Radio Orchestra, Waco Symphony, Tenerife Opera, Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, City Chamber Orchestra of Hong Kong, Castilla y Leon Symphony Orchestra, Tunisian National Symphony, and more. 

Additionally, he has assisted conductors such as Leonard Slatkin, Bernard Haitink, Lionel Bringuier, Christian Zacharias, Joshua Weilerstein, Lucas Macías, Jonathan Cohen, John Wilson, Oliver Díaz, Pablo Mielgo, and Gianluca Marcianò. 

A graduate of the Pablo Sarasate Conservatory, Thornton School of Music, and London’s Royal College of Music, he has studied with Kristy Morrell, Julián Cano, Koldo Pastor, and Peter Stark. His conducting mentors have included Michael Seal, Associate Conductor of the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra.

Among other projects, Urbina will return this season to conduct the Orquesta Sinfónica de Navarra, National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain, Orquestra Sem Fronteiras, plus make his debut with the Orquestra Filarmonia das Beiras. 

“I am very grateful that a Portuguese orchestra has chosen a Spanish conductor to strengthen the ties that unite both countries,” Urbina said. “I am very happy to begin this new professional stage with the Orquestra do Algarve, an orchestra that has shown me special affection from the first moment we worked together, at the end of 2023. Portugal is a country where I feel at home and where I believe I can develop the work I would like to carry out as a musician and conductor: to bring classical music to all audiences and really be able to change and improve society, bar by bar.”