The Zürich Opera has a new head of opera.

According to reports, Michael Fichtenholz will take over the role during the 2018-19 season.

He has previously worked as the opera director at the Badisches Staatstheater Karlsruhe.

Fichtenholz kicked of his career at the Moscow Philharmonic, the Russian National Orchestra and the Moscow Easter Festivals before joining the Moscow Bolshoi Theater in 2009 as the director of the long-term program planning. He also founded an opera studio during his time there.

“The Zürich Opera is undoubtedly one of the most prestigious theaters in the world. Being allowed to work in the position of the Opera Director is a very great honor for me and also a very great responsibility,” he noted according to the Metropol News. ”

Andreas Homoki, director of the Zürich Opera House, stated that Fichtenholz is a “well-known expert on opera singing”,  and that, in him, the company had found “the ideal successor” for Sophie de Lint, who was recently appointed Director of the Dutch National Opera.