Italian conductor Speranza Scappucci is to become principal guest conductor of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden - the first person to hold the title in over 25 years.

50 year-old Scappucci, will commence the post at the start of the 2025/26 season, together with the incoming music director, Czech conductor Jakub Hrůša.

Her appointment comes following her ROH debut with Verdi’s Attila last July, as well as making history becoming the first woman to conduct a new production at La Scala in 2022. Until last year, Scappucci was music director of Opéra Royal de Wallonie-Liège in Belgium and has conducted productions at Scottish Opera, LA Opera, Washington National Opera, Vienna State Opera and Opera di Roma. She currently presents a classical music show on Italian National Television, aimed at educating new audiences and demystifying the artform.

Speaking of the appointment, Scappucci said: 'I’m honoured to accept the position and look forward to being part of the Covent Garden family, working alongside Jakub Hrůša on a wide range of repertoire. Covent Garden is a house of great tradition, globally known for its world-class singers, conductors and directors. I’m excited for what’s ahead of me as part of this fantastic team.’ 

Beginning her career as pianist and répétiteur, Scappucci studied piano at the Conservatorio di Musica Santa Cecilia and then trained as a répétiteur at the Juilliard School in New York. From 2001-2006 she worked as a repetiteur at the Glyndebourne Festival, followed by the Metropolitan Opera, Lyric Opera of Chicago and the Santa Fe Opera.