Conductor Juanjo Mena, former Cincinnati festival head, to retire because of Alzheimer's disease

Conductor Juanjo Mena, former principal conductor of the Cincinnati May Festival, says he will retire this year because of Alzheimer’s disease. Mena announced the diagnosis in January 2025 and says in a public letter that the disease has progressed. The 60-year-old says “I now feel that the time has come to say goodbye to my work on the podium. Every score has an ending, and the final bars of this one have been written. This year’s concerts will be the last I conduct.” Mena will conduct select performances, including the Barcelona Symphony Orchestra on March 21 and 22.