After considerable speculation, the Metropolitan Opera announced today that Philadelphia Orchestra Music Director Yannick Nézet-Séguin will become its next music director, replacing longtime director James Levine. The Philadelphia Orchestra simultaneously announced that Nézet-Séguin has extended his tenure with the orchestra to 10 years, through the 2025-2026 season. Because of Nézet-Séguin’s previous commitments, the Met appointment will not be fully phased in until the Met’s 2020-2021 season.
Musical America, in naming Yannick Nézet-Séguin the 2016 Artist of the Year, wrote, "He is the hottest item on the conductor’s circuit today. Since becoming music director, he has rejuvenated the Philadelphia Orchestra, spurring ticket sales and garnering raves internationally. Moreover, he is a welcome presence on the podiums of the world’s leading opera houses."
With this commitment, Nézet-Séguin will become The Philadelphia Orchestra’s third longest-serving conductor, after Eugene Ormandy and Leopold Stokowski.