The Nashville Symphony has named a musical director to replace the late Kenneth Schermerhorn. After two-and-a-half years, the search committee unanimously approved Giancarlo [jon-CAR-lo] Guerrero to take over beginning with the 2009-2010 season.
The well-known Leonard Slatkin has served as music adviser in the interim and will remain until Guerrero fills the spot.
Symphony CEO Alan Valentine calls the Costa Rica-native a ‘rising star’ in the classical world who will fit the tastes of Nashville audiences.
“Giancarlo has broad musical interests. And one of the things that makes him so right for Nashville and for the Nashville Symphony are that those broad musical interests mean he will fit very well in our broad and eclectic musical community here.”
Guerrero comes from the Eugene Symphony in Oregon and has served as guest conductor here and for the National Symphony Orchestra, the Cleveland Orchestra and the Los Angeles Philharmonic.
Guerrero has signed a five-year contract which commits him to 14 weeks of concerts each year. His responsibilities will include oversight of the artistic side of the symphony, conducting the classical series, special concerts and recordings, and programming the upcoming concert seasons.
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