On Thursday, the Metropolitan Opera announced that Yannick Nézet-Séguin will move into the position of Jeanette Lerman-Neubauer Music Director two seasons earlier than originally expected.

He will assume the position in September and will be conducting three operas for the next two seasons before moving up to five per year in 2020-21. The three works he will lead in 2018-19 will be “Dialogues des Carmélites,” “La Traviata,” and “Pélleas et Mélisande.” He will also be conducting two Carnegie Hall concerts for the next two seasons. The position has been renamed (for the first time in company history) in honor of the major news that the Neubauer Family Foundation will be providing a $15 million gift to the Music Director position in honor of the appointment.

“It is wonderful for the entire company that Yannick will assume his duties two seasons ahead of schedule,” said General Manager Peter Gelb in a press release. “The orchestra loves him, the chorus loves him, everyone in the building loves him. He is a truly great artist under whom the Met will only thrive.”

“The Metropolitan Opera is the greatest opera company in the world and I’m honored to become its next Music Director,” said the maestro in response. “I’m eager to continue to collaborate with the Met Orchestra, Chorus, and administration to keep the Met’s artistic standards at the highest level, and to amplify the great work the company already does to reach new audiences and ensure the future of the art form.”