Stephan Zilias has been appointed the new Music Director of Opera Ballet Vlaanderen.

Zilias, who has been General Music Director of the Hanover State Opera since 2020 and will end his term in August, will take up his position in September.

The conductor has built up a strong artistic profile there with productions that encompass both the great Romantic repertoire and contemporary creations including “Lohengrin,” “Rosenkavalier,” “Parsifal,” “Lear,” “La Juive,” “Greek Passion,” “Carmen,” and “Otello,” among others.  He was Kapellmeister at the Deutsche Oper Berlin and has appeared at the Leipzig Opera, the Prague State Opera, the Savonlinna Festival in Finland, and the Theater an der Wien

Zilias previously guest-conducted Carl Maria von Weber’s “Der Freischütz” at Opera Ballet Vlaanderen.

In a statement about his new position, Zilias said, “I have very fond memories of Der Freischütz, where I immediately felt a strong connection with the spirit and atmosphere of Opera Ballet Vlaanderen. I have always admired the great artistic openness and clear vision with which the company keeps opera and ballet relevant, lively and exciting. Together with the orchestra, the choir, the singers and the entire team, we will continue to explore new musical perspectives – a wonderful task that I am very much looking forward to.”

Jan Vandenhouwe, artistic director of Opera Ballet Vlaanderen, said, “In Stephan Zilias, we welcome a conductor with international experience, a broad musical vision and a great sense of adventure,’ ‘His musicality, openness, and ability to combine tradition with innovation fit perfectly with the artistic direction of Opera Ballet Vlaanderen.”

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