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New Leadership at Royal Opera: Hruša and Scappucci Innovate

1/15/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Jakub Hruša becomes music director of the Royal Opera, London, succeeding Antonio Pappano after 22 years.
Speranza Scappucci becomes the Royal Opera's first principal guest conductor in three decades.
Hruša has led new productions of Puccini’s Tosca and Janácek’s The Makropulos Case.
Scappucci conducted Verdi’s Les Vêpres Siciliennes in its original French.
The two conductors aim to redefine the opera experience through collaboration and innovation.

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Story summary

Jakub Hruša becomes music director of the Royal Opera, London, succeeding Antonio Pappano after 22 years.
Speranza Scappucci becomes the Royal Opera's first principal guest conductor in three decades.
Hruša has led new productions of Puccini’s Tosca and Janácek’s The Makropulos Case.
Scappucci conducted Verdi’s Les Vêpres Siciliennes in its original French.
The two conductors aim to redefine the opera experience through collaboration and innovation.