The London Symphony Orchestra announces the appointment of John Hart as Managing Director | classical music

The London Symphony Orchestra has announced that John Hart will be the orchestra’s next managing director, replacing Dame Catherine McDowell, who will step down after 20 years in the role at the end of the summer.

Hart has been CEO of the Aurora Orchestra since 2009, where, alongside Principal Conductor Nicolas Colon and Creative Director Jane Mitchell, he has built the group from a start-up into one of the most successful and innovative British new arts organizations of recent decades. Prior to his role with Aurora, Hart worked at the British Choral Company Collegium and earned a doctorate in Middle Eastern history at the School of Oriental and African Studies.

He said: “It is a great honor to be appointed to the position of Director General at a moment of such artistic and organizational strength, and I look forward to working closely with the players, staff, board and collaborators to take the London Symphony Orchestra to even greater heights in the years to come.”

LSO President Sarah Quinn added: “John has led the outstanding work of the Aurora Orchestra, which has become a major force in UK music in an impressively short space of time. We very much look forward to working together.”

Hart will join a large ensemble including conductor Sir Antonio Pappano and conductor emeritus Sir Simon Rattle. Founded in 1904, the orchestra today resides at the Barbican in London, where it gives around 70 concerts a year, but also performs in Paris, Tokyo and at the Aix-en-Provence Festival.

Aurora’s Colón and Mitchell praised their outgoing CEO. “We are deeply grateful for everything John brought to Aurora: his dedication to hard work, his bold sense of ambition, and his profound humanity.” Mrs Liz Forgan, Chair of Aurora Trustees, confirmed that the search for his replacement would begin soon.