Executive and Artistic Director Stefan Forsberg

Stefan Forsberg was born in 1961 and grew up in Motala. He studied trumpet at the Academy of Music and Drama in Gothenburg and then played for eleven years in the Blåsarsymfonikerna (the Swedish Wind Ensemble), the orchestra which he then very successfully reorganised.

Stefan Forsberg came to Konserthuset Stockholm in 2003 as Executive and Artistic Director of the Stockholm Concert Hall Foundation and the Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra. His appointment was extended several times before the Foundation decided in 2015 to not set an outer limit for Forsberg’s position as Executive and Artistic Director. Now only the legendary Johannes Norrby – so far – has served in the position longer than Stefan Forsberg (1939–70).

Forsberg came to Konserthuset directly from his position as programme and planning manager for the Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra and the Radio Choir. Before that, Forsberg had served as managing director of Stockholms Läns Blåsarsymfoniker (SLB) (the Stockholm County Wind Ensemble) and head of county music in Stockholm. When he took over that position, his primary task was to transfer cultural-political responsibility for the operation to the Stockholm County Council. Stefan Forsberg was directly responsible for the establishment of musical operations for the Swedish Wind Ensemble.

During Forsberg’s period, the Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra’s international presence has been a high priority: the orchestra has debuted at the London Proms, conducted highly attended Japanese tours, and guest-performed at Carnegie Hall and the UN in New York, as well as the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. The orchestra has carried out several other European tours and guest performances, including at Musikverein in Vienna, Concertgebouw in Amsterdam and Elbphilharmonie in Hamburg. At home in Konserthuset, in addition to activities for new music – the Composer Festival and Weekend Festival – special initiatives have also been carried out under the leadership of Stefan Forsberg, such as the enormous Mahler Festival in 2010 and the Sibelius/Nielsen Festival in 2015.

With Stefan Forsberg’s far-sighted rejuvenation initiatives, Konserthuset has been established as a meeting place that welcomes everyone. Implemented ideas include Konserthuset’s Summer Programming – with free entry, tours and exhibitions, activities for children and young people, and the world music subscription Blue House World. The vision of a building overflowing with activity, including everything from children’s concerts and interesting exhibitions to orchestral concerts of the highest international calibre, is ever-present. The online initiative Konserthuset Play began in 2013 and the growing library of filmed concerts has also been noticed and established internationally, particularly the live broadcasts and enormous expansion of the digital offering in conjunction with the pandemic in 2020. 

Since 2003, Stefan Forsberg has also been an elected member of the exclusive ECHO group, an organisation of the leading concert halls in Europe: Stefan Forsberg is the only representative in Scandinavia.

Forsberg was chairperson of the Swedish Performing Arts Association from 2012–21. He is vice chairperson of the Nationellt centrum för musiktalanger (National Centre for Musical Talents) and a member of the board of El Sistema Sweden. In addition, he is Cabinet Chamberlain to the Royal Court of Sweden and a member of the Royal Swedish Academy of Music. He is on the Polar Music Prize award committee and, on behalf of the Riksdag, planned and implemented the highly publicised Festkonserten in conjunction with the wedding of the Crown Princess in 2010, as well as the celebration of His Majesty the King’s 40 years on the throne in 2013. He was also master of ceremonies for the 2020 Nobel Prize Award Ceremony. 

In February, Stefan Forsberg was awarded H.M. the King’s Medal in the 12th size on the Seraphim Order ribbon.

Press photos

These photos may be used freely in conjunction with articles about Konserthuset and the Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra’s operations; include the source and name of the photographer.

Stefan Forsberg. Photo: Mats Lundqvist.
Download (opens in a new window)

Stefan Forsberg. Photo: Mats Lundqvist.
Download (opens in a new window)

Stefan Forsberg. Photo: Mats Lundqvist.
Download (opens in a new window)

Stefan Forsberg. Photo: Mats Lundqvist.
Download (opens in a new window)

Stefan Forsberg. Photo: Mats Lundqvist.
Download (opens in an new window)