RPO announces new artistic appointments

The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra (RPO) has today announced three new artistic appointments ahead of the launch of its 2025-26 London season next week (24 September).

Already an honorary life member of the RPO, Sir John Rutter has been appointed as the orchestra’s new artist laureate. This latest appointment builds on the composer’s decades-long relationship with the orchestra’s, which has included composing, arranging, conducting, recording and programming with the ensemble. The RPO will celebrate this partnership with a concert at St Paul’s Cathedral celebrating the composer’s 80^th birthday and featuring the world premiere of Rutter’s new work I’ll Make Me A World.

Sir John Rutter said: ’Collaborating with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra throughout many years has been a richly rewarding experience and I am delighted to be continuing to work with them in this capacity.’

The RPO has also welcomed young Finnish conductor Emilia Hoving as its new associate conductor for a three-year period starting this season, while Kevin John Edusei will be the RPO’s conductor-in-residence at Cadogan Hall for the 2025-26 season. Edusei will conduct concerts on October, February 2026 and May 2026.

Rutter, Hoving and Edusei will work alongside Vasily Petrenko, who extended his contract as music director through to 2030, and composer Joe Hisaishi, the orchestra’s composer-in-association, as well as managing director Bardwell, and director of artistic planning and partnerships Tom Philpott.

RPO managing director Sarah Bardwell said: ’We are thrilled that Emilia, Sir John and Kevin are taking up these roles at the RPO, as we prepare to launch another milestone UK season in London, across the UK and internationally. The diversity of talents and specialism across our artistic leadership continues to deliver exceptional artistic excellence and supports our work to broaden access to orchestral music at all levels, further inspiring our inclusive approach.’