Alan Gilbert extends contract as Music Director of Royal Swedish Opera until end of 2029

Gilbert says:

“Sweden is my home – it is where I live with my family, but it is also a crucial center of my musical life. Having the possibility to continue my work at the Royal Swedish Opera is incredibly important and meaningful to me as it is here that I have found a group of musicians and colleagues who share my love of opera and also my lofty ambitions for the company.”

Fredrik Lindgren, CEO of the Royal Swedish Opera, comments:

“It is with great pride and honor that I can announce the continued collaboration between the Royal Swedish Opera and Alan Gilbert. Alan’s contribution to our artistic development and musical excellence is key in our ambition to be a leading opera house. It is a particular pleasure to make this announcement at the beginning of 2026, the year of the Royal Swedish Orchestra’s 500th anniversary, which also marks the final year in our current opera house ahead of its renovation and modernization.”

Tobias Theorell, Artistic Director of the RSO, remarks:

“It is truly wonderful news that Alan Gilbert will continue his collaboration with the Royal Swedish Opera. Alan’s profound and genuine artistry, his knowledge, and his curiosity will be invaluable in the years to come. I look forward to continuing working with Alan and together developing the art of opera through new repertoire, breathtaking musical quality, and exciting encounters with our audience.”

Gilbert’s recent RSO highlights include Parsifal, Wozzeck, and the company premiere of Rusalka. Of the Wagner production, Opera magazine wrote:

“The performance was outstanding. This was Gilbert’s first Parsifal, but he guided the orchestra, soloists and chorus through the work as if he’s been doing it for years, superbly, balanced throughout.”

About the Berg production, Swedish daily Svenska Dagbladet noted:

“The Royal Swedish Orchestra plays masterfully under Alan Gilbert’s direction and with great precision and lyrical nerve gives evidence of a magnificent dynamic range.”

Of the Dvořák, national Swedish television broadcaster SVT reported: “The Royal Swedish Orchestra is in top form with its inspiring chief conductor Alan Gilbert,” and Swedish daily Dagens Nyheter observed:

“When Rusalka becomes mute, the orchestra is allowed to speak for her, and the Royal Swedish Orchestra under Alan Gilbert does it masterfully. The music is dramatic and demanding, but Gilbert leads it with clear vision.”

To kick off the RSO’s year-long fifth centennial celebrations of the Royal Swedish Orchestra, Gilbert leads festive concerts combining the world premiere of a new commission with Beethoven’s incomparable Ninth Symphony (Jan 17 & 18). He reunites with the orchestra to continue its milestone celebrations in August, when Wagnerian soprano Nina Stemme joins them for a tour of Germany, Spain, and the Netherlands.

A longtime Stockholm resident, Gilbert is also now in his seventh season as Chief Conductor of Hamburg’s NDR Elbphilharmonie Orchestra. He previously served as Music Director of the New York Philharmonic, where he concluded a transformative eight-year tenure in 2017, and Chief Conductor of the Royal Stockholm Philharmonic, where he is now Conductor Laureate.