(Credit: Jonathan Tichler / Met Opera)

The Metropolitan Opera has announced that Tilman Michael will be its next Chorus Director.

Michael, who has been Chorus Master of the Frankfurt Opera since 2014-15, will take over for Donald Palumbo at the start of the 2024-25 season. Per an official press release issued by the Met, Michael was picked by Music Director Yannick Nézet-Séguin, who called him a “longtime collaborator and friend whose work I deeply respect.”

“I am honored to accept the role of Chorus Director at the Metropolitan Opera and look forward to being part of the extraordinary music making that happens in this very special opera house. I would also like to especially thank Intendent and General Manager Bernd Loebe and Oper Frankfurt, where I have been privileged to spend the last decade working with wonderful colleagues,” added Michael, who previously held the position of Chorus Master at the National Theater in Mannheim.

Under Michael’s leadership the choral ensembles in Mannheim and Frankfurt were voted Chorus of the Year by Opernwelt. Prior to those posts, he assisted the Chorus Master at the Bayreuth for 10 years.

Last September, Palumbo announced that he would be stepping down from his position as Chorus Master after 17 years at the helm.