BBC NOW names next NJSO Music Director its principal guest

The BBC National Orchestra and Chorus of Wales (BBC NOW) today announced that internationally renowned Chinese-American conductor Xian Zhang—the NJSO’s next music director—has been appointed BBC NOW’s Principal Guest Conductor, effective September 1, 2016, for an initial three year period.

During Zhang’s three-year term as BBC NOW’s principal guest, she will conduct the orchestra in annual concerts at BBC Hoddinott Hall, St David’s Hall and Brangwyn Hall, with repertoire featuring Tchaikovsky, Shostakovich, Rimsky Korsakov and Berlioz in her first season. BBC NOW will also perform at the BBC Proms under Zhang’s baton during her tenure and embark on an “On the road” tour around Wales.

In her first season as NJSO music director, Zhang—who has been music director of the Orchestra Sinfonica di Milano Giuseppe Verdi since 2009—will lead the NJSO in seven subscription classical programs. She will lead the NJSO in nine classical programs in subsequent seasons.

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