SAN DIEGO — The San Diego Symphony is extending the tenure of Music Director Rafael Payare through its 2028-29 season and changing his title to Music and Artistic Director.

The Venezuelan-born conductor — who became a naturalized US. citizen last year on the stage of the symphony’s Jacobs Music Center concert hall — began his tenure here with the orchestra in late 2019.

His arrival was followed by the 2021 opening of the symphony’s $85 million outdoor concert venue, The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park, and the $163 million rebuilding of the Jacobs Music Center, which reopened last fall after four years of redesign work and construction.

“We are delighted that Rafael has extended his time with us,” Symphony President and CEO Martha Gilmer said in a statement.

“Rafael’s vision for the orchestra and his inspiring musicianship have transformed our orchestra, deepening both the artistic excellence our musicians regularly bring to the stage as well as our bond with the San Diego community.”

Payare expressed similar enthusiasm, saying: “The artistic partnership I share with my wonderful San Diego Symphony continues to thrive, and I’m proud to be part of shaping the orchestra’s evolving sound. The extraordinary venues here in San Diego inspire us and allow us to explore and present music in new ways. Together, we’ll continue to deepen the orchestra’s artistry, achieve new heights, and keep expanding the repertoire. I am so very happy to share this remarkable journey with our audiences.”

Payare had previously signed a four-year contract extension to remain with the orchestra through this year, followed by another extension for one year. In 2021, he became the new music director for the Montreal Symphony Orchestra, where he succeeded Kent Nagano. He has since divided his time between San Diego and Montreal, as well as doing guest conducting performances across Europe.

His new contract with the San Diego Symphony will extend Payare’s tenure to the conclusion of the 2028-29 season, marking a full decade since he came on board here. He began directing the orchestra just a few months before the COVID-19 pandemic-fueled shutdown of live events in San Diego and around the world.

During Payare’s time here, the symphony has added 26 new members to its ranks and performed at New York’s Carnegie Hall for only the second time in the orchestra’s 115-year history. In 2022, the symphony released its first album in five years, a recording of Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 11 titled “The Year 1905.” It was culled from two February 2020 concerts, both conducted by Payare, that marked the final two performances at Jacobs Music Center before the pandemic shuttered the venue.

“Expanding our reach in our region, nationally and internationally, and developing a deeper connection with audiences is our top priority,” Gilmer said. “As Rafael has always said, ‘The sky’s the limit’ and we continue to set our sights high. We look forward to this next chapter of extraordinary collaboration and creativity.”

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