Director David Afkham leaves the direction of the Spanish National Orchestra and Choir after more than a decade at the helm. His farewell includes concerts in Madrid, Granada, and London. For the public, his management has elevated the international prestige of the ensemble, which will continue to offer quality classical music as part of the country's cultural heritage.
Orchestral management as a model for sustainable cultural development 🎵
Under Afkham's direction, the orchestra implemented a stable programming that combined classical repertoire with contemporary works. Technical and human resources were optimized, allowing international tours without neglecting the training of new talent. This approach to cultural management, based on long-term planning and collaboration with European institutions, demonstrates that classical music can function as an engine for development and social cohesion.
Goodbye, Afkham: now let's see who tunes the budget 🎻
Afkham is leaving, but he leaves the orchestra with prestige and, presumably, without debts. The next director will have to deal with the usual issues: musicians asking for more strings, the theater having leaks, the audience applauding between movements. At least, Afkham's legacy ensures that when Beethoven's Ninth plays, no one will mistake the bassoon for an alarm clock.