Music Director Michael Christie concludes his tenure at the Minnesota Opera with Verdi’s “Rigoletto.”

The performances, which are scheduled from March 17 through March 31, 2018, will be his final production with the company as Music Director. 

Throughout his tenure, Christie led 26 productions over eight seasons, six as Music Director at the Minnesota Opera including “La Traviata,” “Nabucco,” “Macbeth,” “La Boheme,” “La Fanciulla del West,” “Arabella,” and “Das Rheingold.” He also led performances of 20^th and 21^st century operas via Minnesota Opera’s New Works Initiative, including Bernard Herrmann’s only opera “Wuthering Heights,” the world premiere of Kevin Puts’ “Silent Night,” the world premiere of Kevin Puts’ “The Manchurian Candidate,” and the world premiere of Paul Moravec’s “The Shining.”

In a press statement, Christie said, “’Rigoletto’ is one of the greatest operatic masterpieces and a fitting conclusion to a remarkable artistic relationship with Minnesota Opera. I am grateful for strong relationships with the Minnesota Opera Orchestra, Chorus, music staff, production teams, and our patrons, and for a wonderful partnership with Artistic Director Dale Johnson, who is transitioning to Creative Advisor to the President after 23 years in his post. I wish Minnesota Opera the very best as it starts its new artistic chapter. I look forward to returning to the podium in future seasons as one of the Opera’s guest conductors, and to continuing to call the Twin Cities’ vibrant and inspiring musical community my home.”

Christie will maintain a busy schedule over the next few seasons leading performances of “La Traviata” at Chicago Lyric Opera, Wagner’s “Das Rheingold” at the Opera de Montréal, “Rigoletto” with the Sacramento Philharmonic & Opera, “The Grapes of Wrath” at Michigan Opera Theatre in Detroit, and the world premiere of Huang Ruo’s “An American Soldier.”