Roberto Abbado Appointed Music Director of National Symphony, Aims to Elevate Orchestra
Creatrip Team
2 months ago
Italian conductor Roberto Abbado (72) was named the 8th music director of the National Symphony Orchestra (National Symphony) and held an inaugural press briefing at Seoul’s Seoul Arts Center Opera House on Jan. 7. Abbado praised the orchestra’s dual strength in both orchestral (instrumental) and theatrical music (accompaniment for opera and ballet), and said he will develop both sides during his three-year term. He first worked with the National Symphony in 2023 conducting Bellini’s opera Norma and again for Verdi’s Requiem last year. Abbado said Europe is currently fascinated by “Korea” — from film and pop music to fashion and food — and he hopes his role will deepen his understanding of Korean culture. Planned season themes include “Mendelssohn and Schumann,” “Goethe and Music,” and “Shakespeare and Music,” and his inaugural concert on Jan. 11 will feature Italian composers Respighi, Verdi, and Rossini in an orchestra-only program meant to convey both a touch of year-end melancholy and optimistic new-year energy.
