In Wednesday’s (11/19) San Diego Union-Tribune, George Varga writes, “The San Diego Symphony is extending the tenure of Music Director Rafael Payare through its 2028-29 season and changing his title to Music and Artistic Director. The Venezuelan-born conductor—who became a naturalized US. citizen last year on the stage of the symphony’s Jacobs Music Center concert hall—began his tenure here with the orchestra in late 2019. His arrival was followed by the 2021 opening of the symphony’s $85 million outdoor concert venue, The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park, and the $163 million rebuilding of the Jacobs Music Center … Payare had previously signed a four-year contract extension to remain with the orchestra through this year, followed by another extension for one year. In 2021, he became the new music director for the Montreal Symphony Orchestra, where he succeeded Kent Nagano. He has since divided his time between San Diego and Montreal, as well as doing guest conducting performances across Europe…. During Payare’s time here, the symphony has added 26 new members to its ranks and performed at New York’s Carnegie Hall for only the second time in the orchestra’s 115-year history. In 2022, the symphony released its first album in five years.”
