Basque National Orchestra - Dirección musical | Directores anteriores

Gilbert Varga was the chief conductor for ten seasons and Cristian Mandeal, who took over from Mario Venzago in 2001, stayed for seven. This double act represented the longest period in the history of the Orchestra´s musical direction and the great task that they both undertook to carry out some of the most important international tours, as well as the fundamental work of playing and recording works by Basque composers.

Mario Venzago, current musical director at the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra who led the Orchestra at the inaugural concert of the Kursaal Auditorium in San Sebastian, was made chief conductor in 1998 at the same time as Gilbert Varga, the two of them inaugurating the double position formula. Juanjo Mena, from Alava, was the Orchestra?s associate conductor during this stage.

Having been the conductor at the Mozarteum in Salzburgo and conductor of the Houston Symphony, he led the Orchestra from 1994 to 1996, during which time En Shao worked with Graf as Principal Guest Conductor. Hans Graf has returned to conduct the Orchestra on later occasions as guest conductor in the Season Concerts.

This Granada maestro took the position with the Orchestra in 1989, after having conducted it on several occasions. With the aim of improving the BNO´s artistic quality, Gómez Martínez mainly tackled the classical repertoire as a way of improving technically. Over these years, the Orchestra went through an expansive stage, carrying out the longest tour in its history through Germany and Switzerland.