Edward Gardner has announced that he will be leaving English National Opera at the end of the 2014/15 season.
The 39-year-old conductor, who took the helm at ENO in 2007, is next to become principal conductor of Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra.
Speaking about his decision to leave, Gardner reflected that, ‘At ENO I’ve been surrounded by brilliant people creating some of the best opera productions in the world, and I will never forget nine seasons of working with such an outstanding orchestra.’
He will be replaced by Mark Wigglesworth, the former music director of the BBC National Orchestra of Wales, who has conducted various orchestras and operatic productions across Europe and North America.
ENO’s artistic director John Berry described Gardner as ‘a phenomenal music director’ whilst praising Wigglesworth as ‘one of the most outstanding conductors of his generation.’
Gardner will return to ENO as guest conductor in 2016.
