Maestro Robert Spano will end his tenure as the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra’s music director in June 2021, stepping down after 20 seasons.
Those 20 seasons will make him one of the longest-tenured music directors of a major U.S. orchestra, the ASO said in a statement. He will then become conductor laureate and continue to lead the ASO on a regular basis. Spano, 56, is one of only four conductors in ASO history — following Henry Sopkin, Robert Shaw and Yoel Levi. (Read Spano’s complete bio HERE.)
A committee will be formed to search for his successor, the ASO said, adding that it plans to announce its 2018/19 season in March. The orchestra turns 75 in the 2019/20 season.
Spano next returns to the podium on Jan. 25, for a concert featuring Beethoven’s Concerto No. 5, “Emperor”; Leonard Bernstein’s Symphony No. 1, “Jeremiah”; and the world premiere of Everything Lasts Forever, composed by ASO bassist Michael Kurth. Details, tickets HERE or at 404.733.5000.
