Vasily Petrenko and Speranza Scappucci announced as International Visiting Artists 

Thursday 29 January 2026

The Royal College of Music (RCM) is delighted to announce the appointment of esteemed conductors Vasily Petrenko and Speranza Scappucci as International Visiting Artists from September 2026.  

Following a successful five-year term as Prince Consort Professor, Martyn Brabbins will join the Royal College of Music as a professor of conducting. Martyn will work with conducting students several times each term as well as leading at least one performance project each year.  

Andrew Moore, Artistic Director, comments: ‘I am delighted that Vasily Petrenko and Speranza Scappucci have agreed to join our Conducting Faculty and am equally pleased that Martyn Brabbins will deepen his involvement by taking on the role of professor of conducting. All three have led inspirational masterclasses in recent months and the experience they bring working with some of the finest orchestras and opera companies around the world has proved invaluable both to our Conducting students and to instrumentalists, singers and composers across the College.’ 

Vasily Petrenko has worked with many of the world’s most prestigious orchestras and has appeared at the BBC Proms, Edinburgh International Festival and Glyndebourne Festival Opera, to name but a few. He is Music Director of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, a position begun in 2021, and became Conductor Laureate of the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra following his acclaimed fifteen-year tenure as their Chief Conductor. Vasily will join the RCM on a four-year term, visiting three times a year to teach and once a year to conduct the RCM Symphony Orchestra. 

International Visiting Artist, Vasily Petrenko, added: ‘Working with young musicians and emerging conductors has always been a central part of my life. From youth orchestras to masterclasses, I’ve seen how access to real-world experience at the right moment can be transformative. I’m delighted to join the Royal College of Music as an International Visiting Artist and to work closely with students as they develop not only their craft, but their confidence, judgement and leadership as future conductors.’ 

Hailed as one of the most interesting conductors of her generation on the international scene, Speranza Scappucci made history as the first Italian woman to conduct at Teatro alla Scala in Milan. Speranza was designated Principal Conductor at Covent Garden Royal Ballet and Opera House in 2025 and has conducted worldwide, as well as releasing records with Warner Classics, Opus Arte and Deutsche Grammophon. Speranza will join the RCM on a three-year term visiting twice a year to teach conducting and will conduct the RCM Symphony in at least one programme during her term.  

Speranza Scappucci, International Visiting Artist, said: ‘It is an honour for me to accept this position and I’m excited to be working with young talent and the next generation of conductors. It is important to pass on our knowledge and be able to advise the young generation.’ 

Discover more about studying in the Conducting Faculty at the Royal College of Music.  

Photo of Martyn Brabbins by Ben Ealovega, photo of Speranza Scappucci by Ian Ehm and photo of Vasily Petrenko by tarlova.com.