The Asociación de Teatros Líricos de España – Ópera XXI, which brings together 27 associated theatres, has appointed a new president for the next two years.

During the ordinary semi-annual assembly, held at the Palau de les Arts in Valencia, the organization announced Isamay Benavente, director of the Villamarta Theater in Jerez, to the position.

The new president’s goal is to develop projects through European funds, for the Association’s dissemination and digital growth strategy, the sectorial interconnection between the associates and the consolidation of the Ópera XXI Awards. Benavente will replace Oriol Aguilá, who has been in charge of Ópera XXI for the last four years.

Benavente’s team will feature Valentí Oviedo, Ignacio Gracía-Berenguer, Juan Carlos Matellanes, Juan Antonio Vigar, Oriol Aguilá, Daniel Bianco, Jorge Culla, Javier Menéndez, Josep Ramón Cerdá and Óscar Lanuza. Currently, most of them are directors of Theatres, Festivals or Foundations that have to do with poetry, opera, and zarzuela, among others.

Throughout her career, Benavente has enhanced the production of operas and zarzuelas in the city, together with other musical and cultural institutions, such as the Association of Friends of the Canary Islands Opera or the Cervantes Theater of Malaga, among others.

She has highlighted the direction and annual celebration of the Festival de Jerez, which has become one of the most important flamenco events in the world, welcoming top-level artists and new ones who come from all over the universe.