Daniel Hope will become New Century Chamber Orchestra’s longest serving Music Director after he and the organization recently agreed to a three-year contract extension. Hope began his tenure as Music Director and Concertmaster during New Century’s 2018/19 season and has crafted a uniquely-suited vision for the conductorless orchestra that brings together beloved classics, bold, new works by today’s diverse musical voices, and frequent collaborations with special guest artists to explore musical dialogues across time and genres. Highlights have included the critically acclaimed multimedia production Berlin 1938, two European tours performing to audiences in the thousands, a recording released on Deutsche Grammophon, and landmark performances of Max Richter’s Recomposed — a work Hope recorded in its original release.
“New Century is a chamber orchestra unlike any other—fearless, imaginative, and deeply connected to its community,” says Hope. “It has been a great privilege to serve as Music Director, and I am thrilled to continue this remarkable journey together. I look forward to exploring new repertoire, deepening our connection with audiences, and building on the extraordinary spirit that makes New Century so special.”
New Century’s 2026/27 season offers Bay Area audiences a quintessential opportunity to experience Hope’s creative vision for the orchestra. It includes an electric collaboration with jazz musicians Marcus Roberts Trio; a world premiere with trailblazing pianist Lara Downes of a new, commissioned work by Clarice Assad; the world premiere of a double concerto written by Argentinian bandoneon virtuoso Omar Massa who joins New Century for its exhilarating, inaugural performance. Eagerly anticipated is the season’s finale as American baritone Thomas Hampson joins New Century to debut an immersive experience of music that tells the story of San Francisco’s transformation from 1848-1945. The new, evening length blend of music, narration, and imagery follows on Hampson and Hope’s widely acclaimed collaborative project Berlin 1938, premiered by New Century in 2022.