THE former chief conductor of the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra has made history by becoming the first female artistic director of the prestigious Vienna Radio Symphony Orchestra.

Marin Alsop was appointed in the role less than a week after being honoured with the ABO award at this year's annual Association of British Orchestras (ABO) conference in Cardiff for her work with British orchestras and the championing of female conductors.

Now one of the most in-demand conductors in the world, Alsop won widespread critical and popular acclaim during her time with the BSO, from 2002 to 2008, when she was the first female principal conductor of a British orchestra.

Her highlights included winning the Royal Philharmonic Conductor Award and Gramophone Artist of the Year in 2003, as well as being named female Artist of the Year at the 2005 Classical Brits.

Alsop will become artistic director of the top Vienna orchestra from September 1, 2019, for an initial period of three years, conducting the orchestra in concerts, opera productions, tours, broadcasts and recordings.

She said: "I am very excited about the prospect of collaborating with Vienna RSO. We share the same enthusiasm for expanding the repertoire and for connecting with new audiences. I am deeply moved by the fact that the players instigated my appointment and I can’t wait to start this journey with them, working closely with the Orchestra’s partners in Vienna, across Austria and beyond.”