Rob Fisher, musical director of the Encores! series since it began 12 seasons ago, announced earlier this year that he would step down at the end of the current 2005 season.

Gemignani has musical directed and conducted dozens of Broadway musicals since the mid-70s. Among his more prominent credits are the original productions of Pacific Overtures, On the Twentieth Century, Sweeney Todd, Evita, Merrily We Roll Along, Sunday in the Park With George, The Rink, Passion, Crazy for You, Into the Wood and Big, and major revivals of Kiss Me, Kate, Assassins, Zorba and 1776.

Fisher has held his place at the podium since 1994, through three artistic directors—Walter Bobbie, Kathleen Marshall and now Jack Viertel. He also served as musical director and conductor on Chicago and Wonderful Town—the two Encores! shows which transferred to Broadway.

He is leaving in order to expand his guest duties with the New York Pops, Philadelphia Orchestra and the San Francisco Symphony, according to Variety. He will participate in the selection of his replacement.

Fisher's last Encores! job will be the May 12-16 presentation of The Apple Tree.