Opera
German Tilman Michael becomes choir director at the Met
The German conductor Tilman Michael is moving from the Frankfurt Opera to New York as choir director. Starting next season, Michael will take over the direction of the choir of the renowned New York Metropolitan Opera, as the institution in Manhattan announced. photo
© Kirsten Bucher/Oper Frankfurt/AP/dpa
New York’s Metropolitan Opera is considered one of the best in the world. A German conductor will now take over your choir.
The German conductor Tilman Michael (49) is moving from the choir as choir director Frankfurt Opera to the Met in New York. Starting next season, Michael will take over the direction of the choir of the renowned New York Metropolitan Opera, as the institution in Manhattan announced.
“Tilman Michael is a long-time colleague and friend whose work I deeply respect and whom I wholeheartedly welcome to the Met family,” said music director Yannick Nézet-Séguin. Michael said he was honored and looked forward to contributing to the creation of the “outstanding music at this very special opera house.”
The German replaces 75-year-old US conductor Donald Palumbo, who led the Met choir for around 17 years and announced his retirement last year.
Michael has directed the opera choir in Frankfurt/Main since 2014 and previously worked in Mannheim. He has also worked with many other ensembles at other institutions. Like the Frankfurt Opera, the Metropolitan Opera is considered one of the best opera houses in the world.