The conductor, who has served as the company’s Principal Conductor and Artistic Advisor since 2023, will assume the newly created role from the 2026–27 season. The Sacramento Philharmonic & Opera (SP&O) has appointed Ari Pelto as its Music Director and Chief Conductor, beginning with the 2026–27 season. Pelto has served as the company’s Principal Conductor and Artistic Advisor since the 2023–24 season. Before joining the Sacramento Philharmonic & Opera, he held positions including Artistic Advisor at Boston Lyric Opera and Principal Guest Conductor at Opera Memphis. As a guest conductor, Pelto has appeared with orchestras including the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, San Diego Symphony, St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, Kansas City Symphony and Virginia Symphony Orchestra, and has worked extensively in opera and ballet.