Birmingham Royal Ballet announce new principal guest conductor
The Birmingham Royal Ballet (BRB) has announced Thomas Jung, the first recipient of the Constant Lambeth Fellowship, as their new principal guest conductor.
The Fellowship, launched in 2018, is named after the founding music director of the Royal Ballet.
The first of its kind in the UK, it provides mentoring and performing opportunities to support the next generation of conductors.
BRB director Carlos Acosta said “I am thrilled that Thomas Jung is returning to BRB as principal guest conductor.
“What a tremendous testament to the success of the Constant Lambert Fellowship, the groundbreaking programme designed to develop the skills of emerging conductors and introduce them to the richness of the ballet repertoire at The Royal Ballet & Opera and Birmingham Royal Ballet.
“Through the Fellowship and subsequent guest appearances at BRB, conducting the Royal Ballet Sinfonia in The Nutcracker, Don Quixote and the Into the Music triple bill, Thomas has established an excellent relationship with dancers, musicians, the entire BRB Team and of course our audiences. We very much look forward to welcoming him back to Birmingham.”
Thomas has also been working with orchestras such as the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, Bamberger Symphoniker, Dresden Philharmonic, SWR Symphony Orchestra, Boston Philharmonic Orchestra, Gstaad Festival Orchestra, Het Gelders Orkest, Mantua Chamber Orchestra, and Tianjin Grand Opera Symphony Orchestra as a guest conductor.
From 2013 to 2019 Thomas worked with Bernard Haitink on numerous occasions as Assistant and Cover Conductor. Thomas is the second prize winner of the 2020 International Gustav Mahler Conducting Competition, a recipient of the Eugen-Jochum-Prize and studied at King’s College Cambridge and Hochschule für Musik Köln.
Commenting on his appointment Thomas said: “I am delighted to continue my relationship with Birmingham Royal Ballet and the Royal Ballet Sinfonia in the coming years as principal guest conductor and to work even closer with Paul Murphy, Carlos Acosta, and this wonderful orchestra, and company.
“Every time I have conducted here since 2018, I have been inspired by the artistry on and off stage.
“I love the commitment, dedication, and vibrancy that the fantastic musicians and dancers of BRB bring. I’m looking forward to sharing our passion and love for music and dance with our audiences in the seasons to come.”
Thomas, who will be with BRB for three seasons, will be taking the baton to conduct the Royal Ballet Sinfonia at certain performances during the season of Sir Peter Wright’s The Nutcracker at Birmingham Hippodrome and Royal Albert Hall this Christmas.
Paul Murphy, BRB’s music director, Principal Conductor and one of Thomas’s mentors added: “I am thrilled to welcome Thomas to the position of Principal Guest Conductor. Thomas had a very successful tenure as the Constant Lambert Conducting Fellow from 2018-2020, during which time amongst other projects, he conducted the world premiere of Gabriel Prokofiev’s ‘Sense of Time’.
“He is a hugely talented conductor and I’m really looking forward to working with him again over the next three seasons.”
Sir Peter Wright’s The Nutcracker performed by BRB runs at Birmingham Hippodrome from 21 November – 13 December 2025 and the Royal Albert Hall from 29 – 31 December.
