Spain’s Palau de les Arts Reina Sofía Appoints New Music Director

The British conductor Sir Mark Elder will assume the role as of the 2025/26 concert season

The Palau de les Arts Reina Sofía in Valencia, Spain, has announced the appointment of Sir Mark Elder as its incoming Music Director from September 1, 2025.

Elder began his collaboration with the organization’s Orquestra de la Comunitat Valenciana (OCV) in 2022. In his new role, he will join Les Arts for its 20th season. 

His initial responsibilities with the orchestra will include two opera titles and two symphonic concerts, after which a third concert will be added to his contract. Currently signed to a two-year term, Elder’s tenure is also extendable by an additional two years. 

From 2000 to 2024, Elder served as Music Director of the Hallé Orchestra, where he is now Conductor Emeritus. In 2022, he was appointed Principal Guest Conductor of the Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra. 

Previously, he was Music Director of the English National Opera and the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra, and Principal Guest Conductor of the BBC Symphony Orchestra and the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra. He has also served as Artistic Director of Opera Rara. 

Among the many orchestras he has worked and recorded with include the Berlin Philharmonic, Orchestre de Paris, Chicago Symphony, Boston Symphony, Royal Concertgebouw, Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment, London Philharmonic Orchestra, Budapest Festival Orchestra, and the London Symphony Orchestra. 

Elder has also led concerts at the Royal Opera House, Metropolitan Opera, Opéra National de Paris, Glyndebourne Festival Opera, Bayreuth Festival, as well as the Chicago, Munich, Amsterdam, Zurich, Geneva, Berlin, and the Bregenz and Aix Festivals. 

His accolades include the Olivier Award, plus the Conductor of the Year award from the Royal Philharmonic Society, where he also holds an Honorary Membership. 

“Sir Mark Elder is one of the greatest names on the international music circuit,” said Les Arts artistic director, Jesús Iglesias Noriega. “His formidable professional career, immeasurable musical background and impeccable professional discipline anticipate a period of excellence, growth and success for the Orquestra de la Comunitat Valenciana and also for Les Arts.”