François-Xavier Roth presents new Cologne season

François-Xavier Roth, the new General Music Director of the city of Cologne, has unveiled his plans for the upcoming 2015/16 season.

He will maintain the long tradition of music in the city through his work with the Gürzenich Orchestra, but will push forward the musical and cultural life of the city with his stated aim of more collaboration between the city's various cultural institutions. 

The season opens with a celebratory concert made up entirely of works that were premiered in Cologne or by the Gürzenich Orchestra: Strauss' Till Eulenspiegel, Brahms' Double Concerto and Bartók's Miraculous Mandarin Suite.  He has also announced plans for a new Beethoven cycle that will contrast  and confront his work with contemporary music.

In addition, he will reopen the Cologne opera house, after 5 years closure for rebuilding, with Berlioz’ Benvenuto Cellini in an exciting new production by La Fura dels Baus. 
As the season progresses, Roth will take music all over the city, from a choral concert in Cologne Cathedral (featuring music by Messiaen, Poulenc and Fauré) to the Ludwig Museum, via a 'city life' concert in an as yet undisclosed location within Cologne. 

To ensure you keep up to date with all of his latest news, follow François-Xavier Roth on Twitter here and Maestro Arts here.