Robert Spano Appointed Director of Atlanta Symphony

Robert Spano Photo courtesy of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra

The Atlanta Symphony Orchestra announced on February 8 the appointments of Robert Spano as Music Director and Donald Runnicles as Principal Guest Conductor, beginning in September 2001. Mr. Spano and Mr. Runnicles signed four-year agreements with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra calling for them to serve as the Designates for their respective positions in the 2000-01 season, during which Mr. Spano will conduct the Atlanta Symphony for five weeks and Mr. Runnicles for two weeks. Starting in 2001-02, Mr. Spano will lead the Orchestra for a maximum of 14 weeks each season and Mr. Runnicles for a maximum of six weeks.

"This is a day we have been waiting for, and we know our audiences will respond with enthusiasm," said A.D. Frazier, Jr., Chairman of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra. "We searched for a partnership in which artistic collaboration would be a priority," said Joe Bankoff, Chairman of the Orchestra's Search Committee and Member of the Board of Directors. "We have found that and much more in Robert Spano and Donald Runnicles."

Mr. Spano will lead a broad collaborative effort at the Atlanta Symphony that will explore all areas of the Orchestra's creative activity, from new concert formats, education programs, innovative groupings of players for chamber ensembles to collaborations with the Orchestra's renowned Chorus.

Mr. Spano, who assumes the position of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra's Robert Reid Topping Music Director Chair, will work in partnership with Mr. Runnicles, who will hold the Neil and Sue Williams Principal Guest Conductor Chair, and Atlanta Symphony President Allison Vulgamore in planning for the Orchestra's long-range artistic goals.

"Robert Spano and Donald Runnicles bring their intelligence, energy and innovation that, together with the members of the Orchestra, board, management and the community will provide a new dynamic and a real commitment to changing the traditional style of orchestra leadership," explained Ms. Vulgamore.

Mr. Spano becomes the fourth music director in the Atlanta Symphony's 56-year history, following Henry Sopkin, who served for 23 years, Robert Shaw, 21 years, and most recently Yoel Levi, 12 years. "I feel inspired and very honored to lead such a rich partnership with the Atlanta Symphony musicians, and a remarkable peer, Donald Runnicles," said Mr. Spano. "I do believe we can do great things together in Atlanta and I am eager to work closely with all of my future colleagues and the entire community." Mr. Spano added, "I have been deeply impressed with the scope of activity at the Atlanta Symphony. The organization is blessed with a great orchestra, incredible Chorus, an accomplished Youth Orchestra, the summer Chastain series, and a whole slate of community work that makes the Atlanta Symphony a unique organization."

Mr. Spano will retain his position as music director of the Brooklyn Philharmonic where he has established a reputation for innovative programming that has attracted new and enthusiastic audiences. He maintains an active guest conducting schedule with both major orchestras and opera companies and will continue his role as head of the Conducting Fellowship Program at the Tanglewood Music Center and associate professor of conducting at his alma mater, Oberlin Conservatory.

Donald Runnicles is Music Director of the San Francisco Opera, a post which he will also retain in addition to continuing his active schedule of engagements in leading opera houses and orchestras around the world. Mr. Runnicles has developed a repertoire founded in the classics of the operatic stage, but encompassing much adventuresome work of the 20th century.

"I have very much enjoyed leading the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra as a guest conductor," said Mr. Runnicles, "and I am thrilled to join Robert Spano in helping forge a new era. The opportunity to work closely with Robert is very exciting. We share a deep commitment and enthusiasm to musical excellence and to making the Atlanta Symphony even greater."

Mr. Bankoff pointed out that "Robert Spano and Donald Runnicles are two of the most sought after conductors of our day. Securing both for the Atlanta Symphony is an artistic coup. Their willingness and excitement to join us is a tribute to the quality of the Orchestra and the opportunities that the Atlanta Symphony presents. It is particularly gratifying when so many other orchestras in this country and abroad are searching for new musical leadership. We are honored to have the commitment of two musicians of the highest creative energy and quality to lead us forward. Both are eminent leaders and fully qualified to expand upon the leadership set by Henry Sopkin, Robert Shaw and Yoel Levi."

"Robert and Donald came separately to the table never having met each other," said Ms. Vulgamore. "It was their personal belief in the musicians' artistry and their knowledge from the beginning that the Orchestra aspired to form a collaborative leadership approach that brought us together. As chamber musicians in their own right, they are keenly aware of the importance of exchanging ideas and working together. They both love the Atlanta Symphony."

"Robert Spano is an eloquent communicator, a dedicated teacher and mentor, an accomplished pianist, a composer and a creative programmer. Donald Runnicles has the command of a wide repertoire and is particularly well-suited to complement Mr. Spano's role in exploring new artistic horizons with the Orchestra. This new form of artistic leadership is the catalyst for bringing vigor and excitement to all that the Atlanta Symphony does," said Ms. Vulgamore.

Robert Spano is scheduled to come to Atlanta on Monday, February 14, for a special day of introductions. Mr. Spano will meet with the Atlanta Symphony's board, musicians, management, staff, volunteers, as well as visit schools and meet education, community, state and business leaders. Donald Runnicles will participate in some of the day's activities by teleconference from Vienna, where he will be leading the Vienna State Opera's production of Peter Grimes. Immediately following the day of activities in Atlanta, Mr. Spano will return to Wales where he is currently conducting the Welsh National Opera in a production of Mozart's Cosi fan tutte.

Robert Spano conducts the Atlanta Symphony on May 4-6, 2000 in performances of John Harbison's Remembering Gatsby, Chopin's Piano Concerto No. 1 with pianist Jean-Yves Thibaudet as soloist and orchestral excerpts from Wagner's Der Ring des Nibelungen.

Audiences will get to hear Mr. Spano and Mr. Runnicles during the Atlanta Symphony's 2000-01 season. Mr. Spano will return to lead an engagement for the opening night gala on September 16 with soprano Sylvia McNair in a program of opera arias and American classics. Mr. Runnicles rejoins the Atlanta Symphony for two weeks in the fall, including performances of Orff's Carmina Burana.