(Source: Annapolis Opera)

Annapolis Opera has announced that Craig Kier will be its new artistic and music director, starting on July 1, 2020.

Kier will succeed Ronald J. Gretz, who announced his retirement after serving as the company’s Artistic Director for over 37 years.

Kier has led a wide range of performances around the world with such companies as Houston Grand Opera, San Francisco Opera’s Merola Opera Program, Wolf Trap Opera, Central City Opera, The Glimmerglass Festival, Brevard Music Center, Houston Ballet, Opera Birmingham, Atlanta Opera, Opera Santa Barbara, and Royal Opera House Muscat, Oman.

He has also served as Director of the Maryland Opera Studio at the University of Maryland.

“It is an honor to have been selected to lead Annapolis Opera into its next chapter, building upon the success of Ronald J. Gretz’s legacy,” Kier noted in a press release. “I look forward to bringing emerging artists and established artists to Annapolis in the years ahead to perform diverse programming which is both familiar and new to our audiences. I am thrilled to lead Annapolis Opera forward during this exciting time in the Opera’s history.”

Next up for Annapolis Opera is a production of “Susannah” on March 13 and 15, 2020.