GIANANDREA NOSEDA EXTENDS HIS TENURE WITH THE NATIONAL SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA UNTIL 2027
The National Symphony Orchestra (NSO) announced it has extended Gianandrea Noseda’s contract as Music Director for an additional two seasons, through the 2026–2027 season, his tenth at the helm of the NSO.
Considered one of the world’s most sought-after conductors, and equally recognized for his artistry in both the concert hall and opera house, Gianandrea Noseda has breathed new life into the NSO, reinvigorated its programming, and deepened its relevance and connection to audiences and the D.C.-area community. The contract extension acknowledges the exciting era of music-making and artistic momentum that began in September 2017 when Noseda conducted his inaugural gala concert as Music Director, featuring artists Yo-Yo Ma and Cynthia Erivo. According to the New York Times, «Since 2017, Noseda has been thriving as music director of the NSO.»
The announcement comes as Noseda leads the NSO in his final subscription concerts this season (June 2–4), conducting a program of two evocative works by Alexander Borodin and the first NSO performances of Italian movie score composer Nino Rota’s Suite from Fellini’s La Strada. It also comes on the cusp of Noseda and the NSO’s release on June 24, 2022, of Sinfonia No. 4 by American composer and D.C. native George Walker coinciding with the composer’s 100th birthday. Subsequent recordings of the remaining four Sinfonias will be released through 2024.
Gary Ginstling, NSO Executive Director, says: «The National Symphony is overjoyed that Gianandrea has extended his tenure as Music Director through 2026-2027. Despite the pandemic interruption, Gianandrea and the NSO have made extraordinary artistic strides, and we look forward with tremendous anticipation and excitement to what the next five years will bring.»
The public has also been responding enthusiastically to the Noseda era at the NSO. Ticket sales for the NSO’s classical programs had increased by 20% going into the 2019-2020 season and subscription sales rose by 15%. The Orchestra’s overall fundraising increased 23% pre-pandemic. In addition, the NSO has raised nearly $11.5 million as part of the Noseda Era Fund, a special campaign to support Noseda’s core artistic initiatives. The Noseda Era Fund has supported NSO recording, touring, and major artistic projects.
Commenting on his partnership with the NSO and the Kennedy Center, Gianandrea Noseda says: «Coming to work every day at the Kennedy Center feels like a warm embrace. I adore this performing arts institution and the people who make it what it is. I adore the artists of this incredible orchestra, and I believe so powerfully in our work and our future together. Everything seems musically and artistically possible. There is an energy—a vivacity—that emanates from the musicians in this orchestra and our audiences throughout the community. This is an orchestra ready to take risks, they are eager to explore new repertoire together, and they bring and sustain such goodwill to both me and the audiences, night after night. The last five years with the NSO have been the most rewarding partnership I could have imagined. We faced challenges together during the pandemic era and persevered. I feel very fortunate to be leading this outstanding orchestra with a great management team for five years more.»
Over the course of his tenure with the NSO, Noseda has appointed 20 new musicians to the 98-member ensemble, building upon the orchestra’s sound, versatility, and its international and national reputation as one of the world’s preeminent orchestras. As only the NSO’s seventh music director, Noseda’s frequent presence and keen involvement with the Orchestra continues to provide institutional and artistic stability for the NSO and attracts top talent from across the country.