Fort Worth Opera Announces New General & Artistic Director, Less Than One Month After Afton Battle Announces Resignation

By David Salazar

Just days after announcing that Afton Battle would be stepping down from her position as General and Artistic Director, Fort Worth Opera has named a new leader.

The person in question is Angela Turner Wilson, who will begin her tenure on Dec. 12, 2022.

“After reviewing candidates from around the US and other countries, we are thrilled to announce Angela Turner Wilson will lead the Fort Worth Opera,” said Board Vice Chairman Hayne Shumate in an official press statement. “We wanted to find someone who has vast experience as a national operatic performer and someone who understands how to lead an organization and educate future opera singers. We were fortunate to find those qualities in Angela Turner Wilson. We can’t wait to see her take our organization to new heights.”

Wilson is a former performer who has appeared with such companies as the New York City Opera, Washington National Opera, Lyric Opera of Chicago, Boston Lyric Opera, Atlanta Opera, Portland Opera, and The Dallas Opera. She has also been a faculty member of the Vocal Arts Division at Texas Christian University. She is also the Founding Director of the university’s “Festival of American Song” and achieved the rank of Associate Professor of Professional Practice in Voice; she was also named Chair of the Vocal Arts Division in 2019.

“I am honored that the Fort Worth Opera asked me to lead this important organization,” Wilson added. “Fort Worth Opera is a pillar of the fine arts in Fort Worth. I look forward to continuing the FWO’s high standard of artistic excellence and community outreach while expanding the national reach of the company into an exciting future.”

Battle announced that she would be stepping down back in late October.

Categories

News