Cristian Măcelaru announced as Artistic Partner of the WDR Sinfonieorchester

Cristian Măcelaru becomes Artistic Partner of the WDR Sinfonieorchester 2025/26
October 10, 2023

The WDR Sinfonieorchester and Cristian Măcelaru, Chief Conductor of the WDR Sinfonieorchester since 2019/20, will continue their successful collaboration in the 2025/26 season. After two contract periods as principal conductor, the Romanian-born conductor will remain closely associated with the WDR Sinfonieorchester as Artistic Partner in the 2025/26 season. This will include three concert programs in Cologne and North Rhine-Westphalia, touring and productions.

“We are delighted that we will be able to work with this globally successful conductor and passionate ambassador for classical music on the podium of the WDR Sinfonieorchester beyond the term of his contract,” said WDR Director-General Tom Buhrow. “The musicians of the WDR Sinfonierochester have continued to excel in their commitment and deep understanding of the wide variety of music we have performed together,” said Cristian Măcelaru – “I am truly fortunate to continue our strong and enriching relationship in this new capacity as artistic partner. The work we did stands as a testament to our mutual respect and appreciation.”

In addition to the projects in Cologne and North Rhine-Westphalia, the WDR Sinfonieorchester and Cristian Măcelaru were tremendously successful with concerts at the BBC Proms, the George Enescu Festival Bucharest, the Elbphilharmonie and the Concertgebouw Amsterdam, as well as with highly acclaimed CD productions with works by Bela Bartók and Antonin Dvořák.