Anna-Maria Helsing named BBC Concert Orchestra’s first female chief conductor

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Anna-Maria Helsing has been announced as the first female chief conductor of BBC Concert Orchestra. “I have the greatest respect for this fine group of musicians and I look forward to us making a lot of fantastic music in the future.” Helsing, who began her career as a violinist, previously served as the first female chief conductor of Finland’s Oulu Symphony Orchestra from 2010 to 2013. Chandler said Helsing’s “deep connection” with the team along with her “superb music making” will mean the orchestra’s future “will be expertly led”. He added: “Already the UK’s most versatile orchestra, Anna-Maria’s hope is to further expand the orchestra’s repertoire, and with her passion and her openness for connecting with new audiences in new ways, it promises to be a meaningful and dynamic musical relationship that will place the Concert Orchestra at the heart of the BBC’s vision to make exciting, relevant and impactful content.” Helsing will next conduct the orchestra on Monday June 19 at Alexandra Palace for saxophone player Jess Gillam’s This Classical Life: Live!