Valdés to remain at PRSO helm for now

Puerto Rico Symphony Orchestra Music Director Maximiano Valdés (ospr.pr.gov)

By PEGGY ANN BLISS

Special to The STAR

Maximiano Valdés, outgoing music director of the Puerto Rico Symphony Orchestra (PRSO), isn’t stepping down from the podium!

Not for another season, anyway.

Just as his fans braced for the Chilean conductor’s final three concerts wielding the baton, Valdés’ contract as music director, which began in 2008, was renewed for an indefinite time. 

The reason is simple: the Corporation of Musical Arts (CAM by its acronym in Spanish) hasn’t found anyone to replace him at the helm of the island’s premium musical entity.

In a surprise revelation to The STAR on Wednesday, Valdés said a second season of guest conductors will allow for a more thorough search for his successor. In a brief telephone interview, Valdés said the PRSO board, through Executive Director Melissa Santana, had asked him to remain at the helm of the 75-member orchestra until a successor can take over.

“The board has asked me to remain until they find the best man or woman to fill my position,” said Valdés, winner of numerous honors on both sides of the Atlantic.

Valdés, who assumed the position in 2008, announced in August that he would leave at the end of this season. The board has been evaluating a number of candidates, some of whom have mounted the podium this season, including Francois López Ferrer, José Luis Gómez, José María Moreno, Enrico Fagone and Guillermo Figueroa, a native Puerto Rican who served for 16 years in the position.

The procession of possible resident conductors continues through May with Norman Gamboa, Manuel Hernández and JoAnn Falletta.

A similar procedure, Valdés confirmed, is expected to be followed during the upcoming season, slated to begin in August.

The PRSO, now in its 67th season, was founded in 1958 by famed cellist Pablo Casals.