Stefan Englert will replace Tamás Körner, who retires on January 1, 2012. Chairman Miklós Marschall, Music Director Iván Fischer and the entire BFO community express their heartfelt gratitude to Tamás Körner for his tireless contribution to 20 years of achievement. Mr. Körner will continue in an advisory capacity to the orchestra. "I am immensely proud to have held this position for two decades,” said Tamás Körner.It has been a real privilege to be part of the BFO’s unique success story and see it grow from a newly created ensemble into one of the world’s finest symphony orchestras. I have every confidence that Stefan and Orsolya will be the right people to lead these excellent musicians and team into the BFO’s next phase of development." The Board is delighted to have brought together Mr. Englert’s highly respected international orchestral expertise with Ms. Erdődy’s knowledge and understanding of the Hungarian cultural environment. „Artistic excellence goes hand in hand with first-class professional management” – says Board Chairman, Miklós Marschall. “We are confident that the astonishing success of the BFO will continue under the new leadership of Stefan and Orsolya.” The new directors will work alongside founding Music Director Ivan Fischer who is excited about the new chemistry. Thanking Tamás for his vision in the past 20 years, he added: „With Stefan, Orsolya, and the BFO’s musicians we are entering a new phase of artistic creativity and innovation; sharing the joy of music with more and more people, expanding audiences, especially young audiences, at home and abroad.” Mr. Englert’s duties will include implementing the BFO’s strategy of growth, overseeing all operations of the orchestra and helping Ivan Fischer to achieve his artistic goals.“Some of the most memorable musical experiences in my life are connected to the BFO, which I  consider one of the finest orchestras of the world. I am honoured and delighted for the opportunity to carry on the success story of the BFO together with Iván, Orsolya, the musicians and the team.” As deputy director, Orsolya Erdődy will be mainly responsible for audience  development, friends, government relations, and operations in Hungary. She said: "First from the audience, then backstage as a  festival and concert organizer,  I have been following the BFO's worldwide success. It filled me with pride to hear international colleagues praising "the Hungarian" orchestra. I'm tremendously honoured to become part of the prospering musical adventure, called the BFO." Biographies Stefan Englert grew up in Northern Bavaria, Germany, and studied philosophy at Hamburg University. In 1999 he joined the Schleswig-Holstein Music Festival, becoming he head of the prestigious Orchestral Academy three years later. During that time he gained substantial experience in general management, orchestral planning,  and international touring. In 2009 he was appointed Orchestra Manager of one of the leading German orchestras, the Bamberg Symphony Orchestra. Orsolya Erdődy studied German language and literature, political science and cultural management in Budapest, Saarbrücken and Rome. After coordinating the Hungarian Cultural Season in Germany, Ms. Erdődy was appointed head of KLASSZ Music Office in 2009. In this capacity she organised the Haydn Bicentenary, the Erkel and Mahler Jubilees,  and the Liszt Anniversary in Hungary and abroad. In addition she acted as personnel manager of the Danubia Youth Orchestra and was president of the Austrian-Hungarian Haydn Philharmonie.