FORT WORTH, TX— March 15, 2019 — The Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra announced today that internationally-acclaimed conductor Robert Spano has been named the Orchestra’s Principal Guest Conductor, effective immediately. Spano, who is conducting a program of
Strauss and Mahler at Bass Performance Hall this weekend, will return to Fort Worth to conduct two concert weekends per year in each of the 2020-21, 2021-22, and 2022-23 seasons. His term as Principal Guest Conductor will conclude on June 30, 2023.

FWSO President and CEO, Dr. Keith Cerny stated, “On behalf of all of us at the FWSO, I am absolutely delighted to welcome Maestro Spano to the orchestra in his new role. His reputation and stature will allow us to continue to develop and grow this superb orchestra, and I look forward very much to working with him in the coming seasons.”

“We are thrilled to have Robert Spano join the FWSO as Principal Guest Conductor,” stated FWSO Board Chair Mercedes Bass. “I have long admired his great work with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and the Aspen Music Festival, and it is a great pleasure to have him join our orchestra in this capacity.”
Spano will appear on the orchestra’s Symphonic Series, offering ten concerts each season
featuring world-class artists, timeless classics, and exciting new works performed in the
acoustically superb Nancy Lee and Perry R. Bass Performance Hall. In each of the three seasons
of his tenure, he will conduct two of the ten scheduled concert weekends. In addition to his
duties on the podium, he will also assist with the company’s fundraising and community
outreach efforts.
"What a joy it is to have met this wonderful orchestra, and I anticipate with pleasure the
prospect of making great music together in the future,” stated Spano. “I am thrilled to join such
a dynamic and enthusiastic organization."
"I am very pleased that Robert Spano -- a highly-respected conductor of international standing
-- will be playing an important role in the musical life of the FWSO for the next few years,”
stated FWSO Music Director Miguel Harth-Bedoya. “I have long admired Robert's programming,
as well as the range and variety of living composers he performs and supports. I offer a sincere
and very warm welcome!”
Spano is conducting the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra, with soprano Jessica