Other events in Baltic States

The Estonian National Symphony Orchestra announced on Wednesday that Olari Elts will become the orchestra's music director and chief conductor from the 2020/2021 season, for an initial period of three seasons.

Elts' first concert with the Estonian National Symphony Orchestra took place in 1998 and he has been the orchestra's principal guest conductor since 2007.

Elts is a conductor with a wide international reach, whose passion for putting together and conducting unique and exciting concert programs has earned him worldwide recognition. He frequently performs with renowned orchestras around the world, such as Finnish Radio Symphony, Danish National Symphony, BBC Symphony, Seattle Symphony, and Yomiuri Nippon Symphony. In addition to the core Classical and Romantic repertoire, Elts is also a champion of contemporary repertoire, especially those written by his Estonian compatriots, including Erkki-Sven Tuur, Eduard Tubin, Tonu Korvits, and Helena Tulve.

"The Estonian National Symphony Orchestra, being my 'home orchestra,' always holds a special place in my heart. As its principal guest conductor in the last 12 years, I have been inspired by the passionate music-making of our orchestra and I am thrilled and honored to be taking our collaboration to another level! In these turbulent times, classical music is our universal lighthouse and we need it more than ever. I look forward to the new adventure with this wonderful orchestra with all the exciting projects ahead," Elts said according to spokespeople for the orchestra.

The current chief conductor, Neeme Jarvi, will continue to work with the Estonian National Symphony Orchestra (ERSO) as honorary conductor for life from next season onwards.

"I trust that creativity, positivity, openness, and excellent instrumental skills will continue to be the characteristics of ERSO. It is an exciting time and I hope that we will continue to share powerful musical experiences in Estonia and around the world. I send the ERSO and Olari Elts my best wishes," said Jarvi.

Elts, born in 1971, is currently principal guest conductor of the Estonian National Symphony Orchestra and the artistic advisor of  Kymi Sinfonietta. From 2001-2006, he was the chief conductor of the Latvian National Symphony Orchestra, from 2006-2012, the artistic advisor of the Brittany Symphony Orchestra, from 2007–2010, the principal guest conductor of the Scottish Chamber Orchestra, and from 2011-2014, of the Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra. In 1993, Elts founded the NYYD Ensemble. In 2017, Elts was given the annual award of the Cultural Endowment of Estonia for his brilliant and impressive performances on both domestic and foreign stages and for the promotion of Estonian music.