WASO names new principal conductor

The former music director of the English National Opera, Paul Daniel, has signed on to be Principal Conductor and Artistic Adviser for the West Australian Symphony Orchestra for three years from January 2009, the orchestra announced today.

Mr Daniel served with the ENO from 1997 until 2005, and made his debut at the Metropolitan Opera New York in January last year.

He replaces Matthias Bamert, whose contract expires this year.

The full text of a WASO announcement is pasted below

The board of the West Australian Symphony Orchestra today announced that renowned English conductor Paul Daniel has been appointed to the position of Principal Conductor and Artistic Adviser from January 2009 to December 2011. The position will be proudly supported by Wesfarmers Arts which has had a lengthy involvement with the WASO for over a decade.

Paul Daniel has appeared as a guest conductor with major orchestras throughout the world. He was Music Director of the English National Opera from 1997-2005 and is currently Chief Conductor of the Britten-Pears Orchestra in Aldeburgh, UK. Paul Daniel has a broad repertoire wtih extensive experience in both classical and contemporary music.

Paul Daniel first conducted WASO in July 1995, and more recently performed two successful concerts in April 2006 where he established warm relationships with players and audiences. On 5 and 6 October this year he will lead the Orchestra in the concert Dance! and he is scheduled to appear with the WASO for three performances in 2008 before beginning his tenure as Principal Conductor and Artistic Adviser in 2009. Paul Daniel will have the title Principal Conductor Designate until 2009.

"The Board is absolutely delighted that Paul Daniel has agreed to join WASO as our Principal Conductor and Artistic Adviser. I am sure all West Australian music lovers will join us in welcoming him back to the WASO in this new capacity," said Janet Holmes a Court AC, Chairman of the WASO Board.

"The WASO is a great force for Western Australia, and a great international ambassador," said Paul Daniel. "I look forward to working with the organisation to explore new ways to reach new audiences and to inspire our current audience. It will be a demanding but thrilling task and I am looking forward to working together withy the WASO to reach new heights."

"Negotiations with Paul Daniel commenced in December 2006," Keith Venning, WASO chief executive officer said. "The WASO musicians identified an outstanding group of artists from which Paul Daniel was chosen."

Paul Daniel will join the Orchestra for at least 9 weeks of the concert season whyich includes 1 non-performing week. He wil advise the Orchestra on programming and artistic issues and take an active role in auditions. He will assist the Orchestra in developing its guest conductor and soloist portfilio, including established international names and exciting new talents.

Wesfarmers Managing Director Richard Goyder said "We feel that Paul Daniel's appointment will take the WASO to the next level and consolidate its standing, both in the Australian community and the international orchestral world. It's going to be wonderful for all of us in the West Australian Community to see the orchestra flourish during this next phase in its history."