Birmingham Royal Ballet has announced that Thomas Jung is its new principal guest conductor.
Jung is the first recipient of the Constant Lambeth Fellowship, named after the founding music director of the Royal Ballet. The first of its kind in the UK, it provides mentoring and performing opportunities to support the next generation of conductors.
BRB director Carlos Acosta said, “I’m thrilled that Thomas Jung is returning to BRB as principal guest conductor. What a tremendous testament to the success of the Constant Lambert Fellowship, the groundbreaking programme designed to develop the skills of emerging conductors and introduce them to the richness of the ballet repertoire at the Royal Ballet and Opera, and Birmingham Royal Ballet.
“Through the Fellowship and subsequent guest appearances at BRB, conducting the Royal Ballet Sinfonia in The Nutcracker, Don Quixote and the Into the Music triple bill, Thomas has established an excellent relationship with dancers, musicians, the entire BRB team and of course our audiences. We very much look forward to welcoming him back to Birmingham.”
Jung has also been working with orchestras including the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, Bamberger Symphoniker, Dresden Philharmonic, Boston Philharmonic Orchestra and Tianjin Grand Opera Symphony Orchestra as a guest conductor.
Commenting on his appointment, Jung said, “every time I’ve conducted here since 2018 I’ve been inspired by the artistry on and off stage. I love the commitment, dedication and vibrancy that the fantastic musicians and dancers of BRB bring. I’m looking forward to sharing our passion and love for music and dance with our audiences in the seasons to come.”
Jung, who will be with BRB for three seasons, will take the baton to conduct the Royal Ballet Sinfonia at certain performances during the season of Sir Peter Wright’s The Nutcracker, which will run at Birmingham Hippodrome from Friday 21 November until Saturday 13 December and at the Royal Albert Hall from Monday 29 until Wednesday 31 December.