Robert Spano has been appointed as the Music Director Designate of the Washington National Opera (WNO). His official tenure as Music Director will commence in the 2025/26 season, lasting three years.

In his new capacity, Spano will assume responsibility for the WNO Orchestra, Chorus, and music personnel. He will collaborate closely with the current principal conductor Evan Rogister and artistic director Francesca Zambello. Rogister, who assumed the role of principal conductor in 2018, will continue until the conclusion of the 2024/25 season.

Furthermore, Spano will play a pivotal role in mentoring emerging conductors through WNO’s partnership with the Solti Foundation, as well as coaching students of the WNO Cafritz Young Artist Program.

Spano's association with WNO began in 2021 with the world premiere of "Written in Stone," a commission commemorating the Kennedy Center’s 50th anniversary.

He joins a distinguished lineage of former WNO music directors, including Heinz Fricke, Paul Callaway, John Mauceri, and Philippe Auguin.

Currently serving as the music director of the Aspen Music Festival and School and the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra, Spano was recently appointed as the principal conductor of the Rhode Island Philharmonic Orchestra.

Additionally, he holds the title of music director laureate of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, where he served as music director for two decades, amassing eight GRAMMY nominations and winning four GRAMMY Awards.

Spano's conducting engagements span prestigious venues such as the Metropolitan Opera, Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, BBC Symphony, Orchestra Filarmonica della Scala, Sydney Symphony Orchestra, and the New York and Los Angeles Philharmonics, among others.

As a composer, he premiered his work "Sonata: Four Elements for Piano" at the Aspen Music Festival in 2016, along with a song cycle titled "Hölderlin-Lieder" for soprano Jessica Rivera.

WNO’s general director Timothy O’Leary expressed his enthusiasm for Spano's appointment, citing his exceptional leadership qualities and immediate rapport with the WNO Orchestra musicians during their collaboration on "Written in Stone."

Francesca Zambello emphasized Spano's dedication to nurturing the next generation of artists and building and developing orchestras throughout his career. She looks forward to a collaborative partnership that fosters artistic growth within the company and strengthens connections to audiences and the community.

Spano himself expressed his excitement about joining WNO, praising the company's vision and expressing confidence in the future collaborations with Timothy O'Leary and Francesca Zambello.