Dutch conductor Arjan Tien has been appointed Principal Conductor of the Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra, starting in January 2026. At the same time, Bernhard Gueller, who has shaped the ensemble’s sound for over three decades, has been named Conductor Laureate for Life.
The Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra (CPO) has announced a major step in its artistic future with the appointment of Dutch conductor Arjan Tien as its next Principal Conductor. His tenure will begin in January 2026, coinciding with the arrival of Adriaan Fuchs as CEO and Artistic Director in December 2025. Together, they will succeed two figures who defined the institution for decades: Louis Heyneman, retiring after 25 years as chief executive, and Bernhard Gueller, who will be honoured as Conductor Laureate for Life.
An international profile with strong ties to education
Tien, widely praised for his stylistic refinement and dynamic energy, is a professor of conducting at the Conservatories of Amsterdam and Maastricht and a frequent guest lecturer across Europe and South Africa. He has led ensembles such as the WDR Funkhausorchester in Cologne, the Belgrade Philharmonic, and the Johannesburg Philharmonic Orchestra, as well as opera productions in the Netherlands and South Africa.
Alongside his new position in Cape Town, he will join Stellenbosch University as Associate Professor, focusing on training the next generation of conductors. He is also Artistic Supervisor of the South African Conductors’ Competition, underlining his commitment to mentorship and international collaboration.
Gueller honoured after more than 30 years
Canadian conductor Bernhard Gueller has been associated with the CPO for over three decades, serving as Principal Guest Conductor since 1991 and Principal Conductor since 2016. The orchestra has recognised his long-standing artistic contribution by appointing him Conductor Laureate for Life. Gueller will continue to be linked to Cape Town, while passing the baton to Tien.
A broader leadership renewal
The announcement follows the appointment of Adriaan Fuchs as the orchestra’s next CEO and Artistic Director. Fuchs, who has worked at Carnegie Hall in New York since 2016, will return to Cape Town to succeed Louis Heyneman. With these dual appointments, the orchestra signals a new chapter in its history, combining international artistic leadership with a renewed focus on institutional development.
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