Spanish-born Gustavo Gimeno took up his role at the OPL in 2015 and recently extended his contract until 2022.

In a press statement, the Philharmonie said the announcement was “not only a tribute to the young Spanish conductor’s achievement but, moreover, the creation of a link between two institutions with remarkable educational offers that will open many opportunities for new collaborations at the Philharmonie Luxembourg.”

Gimeno adds that by bridging the two continents it would, “open new horizons not only for me but also for the orchestras.”

Born in Valencia, Gimeno began his international conducting career in 2012 as assistant to Mariss Jansons while a member of the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra in Amsterdam.

According to his online biography, he made his Canadian debut with the TSO in February 2018 with a concert programme featuring music by Beethoven, Ligeti and Dvorak.

The conductor will be the orchestra’s eleventh music director and has signed for a period of five years. Before taking up the post, he will return to Toronto on 29 and 30 June 2019 to conduct “The Firebird”, a programme featuring works by Stravinsky, Sibelius and Profokiev.