Performer: Jakub Hrůša

Oliver Mears' new staging impresses and Jakub Hrůša's first season as Music Director excites interest. But the evening belongs to Anna Netrebko.

Tradition reborn with thrilling clarity: Jakub Hrůša’s Bambergers light up Seoul: Wagner’s shimmering overture, Bomsori Kim’s impassioned Bruch, and a lucid yet explosive Beethoven Seventh. 

Founded in 1945, London’s Philharmonia Orchestra is celebrating its 80th anniversary this year with an ambitious season featuring many returning artists, and an extensive US tour.

Hrůša will initially be on a five-year contract, but the orchestra has already signalled its intention of this being the beginning of a long-term relationship.

Bamberg Symphony’s chief conductor talks Smetana’s innovative and rarely-performed early tone poems – and his belief that all Central Europe is one big cultural family.