The New York City Opera has announced the appointment of Constantine Orbelian as the company’s Music Director and Principal Conductor.

Maestro Orbelian will conduct his first NYCO production this summer when the company performs a newly created version of “Rigoletto” on Sunday, August 29 at the Phoenicia International Festival of the Voice in Kingston, New York, followed by an encore performance of the Verdi favorite on Friday, Sept. 3 as part of Bryant Park’s annual Picnic Performance series.

In a press release, Maestro Orbelian said, “I am thrilled to accept the position of Music Director and Principal Conductor of the venerable New York City Opera. It is a great opportunity to help bring this historic, culturally significant musical institution back to life after a challenging time of Covid closures. We will give opera lovers the thrill of hearing extraordinary singers from across America and beyond. Staying true to the NYCO tradition, we will provide contemporary composers a great platform in which to premiere their works. We look forward to welcoming you, our opera-loving public, to our performances at Bryant Park and the Phoenicia International Festival of the Voice this summer and to announcing our next season of events and performances.”