Gustavo Gimeno "Looking Forward to Being Music Director at Madrid Royal Theatre"

"First Visit in 20 Years" Luxembourg Philharmonic Music Director
Tchaikovsky Symphony No. 5 & Dvo??k Cello Concerto
"Musicians Gathered from 20 Countries... Flexible Music is Our Strength"

"Becoming the conductor of the Teatro Real in Madrid is truly an exciting and thrilling prospect."

Gustavo Jim?nez (47), conductor of the Luxembourg Philharmonic Orchestra, which will perform in Korea at the Seoul Arts Center Concert Hall on the 25th, will assume the position of music director at the Teatro Real in Madrid starting from the 2025?2026 season. Born in Valencia, Spain, Jim?nez expressed his joy in a written interview with Asia Economy about taking on a significant role in his homeland. He explained, "The Teatro Real in Madrid is the most prestigious musical institution and a magnificent theater in my country."

The Teatro Real in Madrid is a historic theater completed in 1850 during the reign of Isabel II (1830?1904). Construction began in 1818 during the reign of Isabel II’s father, Ferdinand VII (1784?1833), but due to a lack of funds and the death of the architect, it took 33 years to complete.

When asked about the works he wishes to present as the music director of the Teatro Real, Jim?nez said he would need to discuss with the theater but personally would like to conduct grand works such as Richard Wagner’s opera Tristan und Isolde, B?la Bart?k’s opera Bluebeard’s Castle, Anton Bruckner’s Symphony No. 8, Jean Sibelius’s symphonies, Leo? Jan??ek’s opera Katya Kabanova, and Gustav Mahler’s symphony Das Lied von der Erde. Jim?nez also guest-conducted Sergei Prokofiev’s opera The Fiery Angel at the Teatro Real in February last year.

Gustavo Gimeno [Photo by Vincero]

This is the first visit of the Luxembourg Philharmonic to Korea in 20 years. Jim?nez and the Luxembourg Philharmonic will perform Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 5 and Dvo??k’s Cello Concerto in this concert. Jim?nez described both pieces as truly wonderful Romantic works.

Cellist Han Jaemin will be the soloist for Dvo??k’s Cello Concerto. Jim?nez said that collaborating with young musicians like Han Jaemin and becoming part of their lives, as well as witnessing their growth as artists, is a great joy and honor. Han Jaemin is only 17 years old this year. Jim?nez mentioned that he has not yet performed with Han Jaemin but is eager to meet him soon.

Jim?nez also noted that among the members of the Luxembourg Philharmonic and the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, where he currently serves as music director, there are Korean musicians. In particular, he mentioned that the new concertmaster (violinist Min Seohee) of the Luxembourg Philharmonic is Korean.

As a strength of the Luxembourg Philharmonic, Jim?nez cited its flexible musicality. "The orchestra is composed of musicians from 20 different countries. Because of the diverse cultures and personalities coming together, they can perform with a more open mind. As a result, the orchestra’s music is flexible."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.