New Chief Conductor at BBC Concert Orchestra

ANNA-MARIA HELSING has been named Chief Conductor of BBC Concert Orchestra. 

Taking up post in October for an initial three-year term, Helsing will work closely with the orchestra’s Director BILL CHANDLER. 

Helsing started her career as a violinist and is now renowned for conducting and leading major Nordic orchestras and opera houses.

She was the first female Chief Conductor of Finnish symphony orchestra Oulu Symphony, and has conducted other major orchestra's including the Philharmonia Orchestra, BBC Philharmonic, Royal Scottish National Orchestra and Barcelona Symphony Orchestra. She is also the Artistic Director of chamber music festival Rusk in Jakobstad, Finland. 

Helsing first worked with BBC Concert Orchestra in 2020, initally as Principal Guest Conductor. Before officially assuming her new role, she will conduct the orchestra at August’s BBC Proms. 

“I am thrilled and very excited to deepen my collaboration with the BBC Concert Orchestra as their new Chief Conductor,” Helsing said. 

“During our years together we have established a warm connection, which on my part makes working with this orchestra a true pleasure. In the years to come I would love to further expand the symphonic repertoire of the orchestra as well as presenting it to audiences outside of London.

“I have the greatest respect for this fine group of musicians and I look forward to us making a lot of fantastic music in the future.”