We are thrilled to announce that Petr Popelka, a talented Czech conductor, has been chosen as the new Chief Conductor of the Wiener Symphoniker. The decision was made after an overwhelming majority vote by the orchestra's musicians. Starting from the 2024/25 season, Popelka will take on this prestigious role for an initial period of five years.

Jan Nast, the Intendant of the Wiener Symphoniker, expressed his satisfaction with the outcome of the vote. After Andrés Orozco-Estrada's unexpected departure, the orchestra took its time to carefully consider the qualities needed in his successor. The selection process focused on finding an individual who could match the personality of the Wiener Symphoniker and bring their shared artistic visions to life. Popelka's memorable performance of Gustav Mahler's First Symphony left a lasting impression on many musicians and was instrumental in his selection. Working with Popelka is described as inspiring, fruitful, and characterized by a collaborative creative enthusiasm. Nast firmly believes that Popelka is an exceptional artist who will further develop the distinctive spirit of the orchestra in the long term.

Petr Popelka, born in Prague in 1986, initially trained as a double bassist in Prague and Freiburg before transitioning to conducting. He previously served as the Chief Conductor of the Norwegian Radio Orchestra and the Chief Conductor and Artistic Director of the Prague Radio Symphony Orchestra. Popelka is also an active composer.

For Popelka, becoming the Chief Conductor of the Wiener Symphoniker is a dream come true. As a teenager, he regularly traveled from Prague to Vienna with his parents to listen to the world's greatest orchestras in this musical city. To him, the Wiener Symphoniker embodies the essence of Vienna, capturing its spirit and maintaining a modern pioneering role both in repertoire and within society. Popelka envisions his journey with the Wiener Symphoniker as an opportunity to shape the orchestra's future, passing on a modern and egalitarian ensemble to the next generation. He is deeply impressed by the passion and dedication of the musicians and their collective ability to immerse themselves in the music. Together, they have the chance to invigorate a modern orchestra that holds a central place in the world of music.

Before the summer break, Popelka will perform Arnold Schönberg's monumental Gurre-Lieder with both the Oslo and Prague orchestras at festivals in Litomyšl and Prague.

Starting from the 2023/2024 season as Chief Conductor Designate, Popelka will lead the Wiener Symphoniker in a new production of Weinberger's Schwanda the Bagpiper at the MusikTheater an der Wien. He will also join the orchestra for multiple concerts in Vienna and two European tours. Popelka's debut with the Zurich Opera House will feature a production of Mozart's Don Giovanni. Additionally, he will make orchestral debuts with the Gewandhausorchester, Munich Philharmonic, Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, Orchestre National de France, and Orchestre National du Capitole de Toulouse.