Cristina Rocca is set to become artistic director of the London Philharmonic Orchestra (LPO), the orchestra has announced. Currently vice-president at the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, a post she has held since 2015, she will take up her new role in November 2020.
Rocca brings to the LPO a wealth of international experience gained at many of the world’s leading orchestras. As vice-president for artistic planning at the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, she is responsible for the design and execution of all artistic plans, developing innovative programmes and engaging guest artists for the orchestra.
She has previously worked at some of the world’s most well-renowned orchestras, including Orchestre National de France, Cleveland Orchestra, Orchestre Philharmonique de Strasbourg, and Orchestra dell’Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia in Rome.
Victoria Robey OBE, chairman of the LPO Board, and Martin Höhmann, president, said in a statement: “We are delighted to welcome Cristina Rocca, who brings to the LPO an impressive combination of experience, creative flair and expertise to shape the artistic direction of the orchestra going forward.
“A highly respected artistic director with vision and insight, Cristina meets every challenge with optimism, passion and tenacity, characteristics that will be the bedrock of building an exciting future for the orchestra and its audiences in the UK and worldwide.”
Rocca joins David Burke, LPO’s chief executive, as part of the orchestra’s senior administration, following the retirement earlier this year of Timothy Walker CBE AM. She will lead LPO’s future artistic vision with Principal Conductor Designate Edward Gardner OBE, who in September 2021 succeeds Vladimir Jurowski, who will remain as conductor emeritus. The LPO also recently announced the appointment of Karina Canellakis as principal guest conductor from September 2020.
“I am truly delighted to be joining the great London Philharmonic Orchestra and teaming up with Vladimir Jurowski, Edward Gardner and Karina Canellakis to enable the orchestra to bring the joy of live music-making once again to its patrons and the wider community,” Rocca commented.
“Together with David Burke and the team I will work hard to ensure that as many people as possible will enjoy this wonderful orchestra.”
Joyce Wilson, area director of London Arts Council added: “We’re very pleased to welcome Cristina Rocca as the new artistic director for the London Philharmonic Orchestra. The partnership between Cristina and David Burke is really exciting and we look forward to seeing what the LPO achieves under their leadership. As more women take up leadership roles in the UK cultural sector, we expect to see their talent and experience act as catalysts for greater, long-term change and better representation.”
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Italian-born Cristina Rocca will take up the role of artistic director for the London Philharmonic Orchestra in November 2020.