The Royal Scottish National Orchestra has just named the Lithuanian conductor Giedrė Šlekytė as its next music director, from September 2027.
Giedrė Šlekytė, 36, is based in Austria. She has conducted the RNSO twice. This is her first music director position.
She replaces Thomas Søndergård, who will have served for six seasons.
Giedre is represented by Raab & Böhm Artists of Vienna.
RSNO Chief Executive Alistair Mackie said: ‘There are weeks in rehearsals when something shifts. A buzz starts, momentum builds. You can feel it coming from the musicians themselves. And when it does happen, our audiences can feel it too. That’s what happened with Giedrė.
When she joined us last year, her musical ideas and the way she works with players spoke for themselves. Giedrė gives the Orchestra room to breathe and to play. The connection – musical, cultural and personal – was there from the start. She is the right person to carry forward what Thomas has built. The foundation he created is a strong one: an orchestra that knows itself, plays with confidence, and is ready for what comes next.’