Southwest Florida Symphony Appoints New Principal Conductor

Conductor Stilian Kirov has also been appointed as the orchestra’s Interim Artistic Advisor

Stilian Kirov has joined Southwest Florida Symphony (SWFLSO) as its new Principal Conductor after the unanticipated departure of its Music Director, Radu Paponiu this spring. 

SWFLSO’s board, staff, and orchestra committee have also promptly appointed Kirov as Interim Artistic Advisor to serve as artistic leadership until a search for a new Music Director can begin.

Kirov was Music Director of Symphony in C in New Jersey from 2015 to 2020, and currently serves as Music Director of the Illinois Philharmonic and the Bakersfield Symphony.

His conducting highlights include appearances worldwide with the Israel Camerata, Xi’An Symphony, Minas Gerais Philharmonic Orchestra, Sofia Philharmonic, Sofia Festival Orchestra, Thüringen Philharmonic Orchestra, Zagreb Philharmonic, and more. 

He has also worked with the symphonies of Seattle, Memphis, Chautauqua, Omaha, West Virginia, as well as the Amarillo Symphony, National Repertory Orchestra, and the Tucson Symphony and the Pacific Northwest Ballet.

Kirov has assisted conductors such as the late Bernard Haitink, Rafael Frühbeck de Burgos, and Andrew Davis, as well as with Stéphane Denève and Christoph von Dohnányi. 

A graduate of The Juilliard School, he studied with James DePreist, Kurt Masur, Michael Tilson Thomas, Gianluigi Gelmetti, George Manahan, Robert Spano, and Asher Fisch, among others.

His many awards include the gold medal at the 2001 Claude Kahn International Piano Competition, first prize at the “Debut Berlin” Concert Competition, and prizes at Denmark’s 2015 Malko Competition and the 2010 Mitropoulos Competition.

Kirov made his debut at the Berlin Philharmonie in 2017 and is also a recipient of numerous Solti Foundation U.S. Career Assistance Awards.

In his new role with SWFLSO, Kirov is now finalizing programming drafts to complement repertoire selected for next season.

“There was immediate professional chemistry upon my first conversation with Maestro Kirov,” said the orchestra’s CEO Amy Ginsburg in the press release. “His experience with regional orchestras, his artistic flexibility and open-mindedness, and his obvious passion for the work he does immediately informed us that he would be a great fit for this role.”

“I am thrilled to be joining the SWFLSO and working with the fabulous musicians, staff and board,” Kirov added. “During our initial conversations, I was inspired to learn about the orchestra’s innovative direction and the unlimited potential for the organization to continue its growth and outreach to new audiences. I feel very privileged and looking forward to an exciting season ahead!”

As Lee County’s only professional orchestra and the fourth oldest in the state, the Southwest Florida Symphony will celebrate its 64th season in the 2024-25 concert season, which will be announced soon.