(Credit: Jay Raissis)

Greek-German conductor Yorgos Ziavras has been appointed Chief Conductor of Oper Wuppertal for the 2026-27 season.

He was previously the company’s Principal Conductor. To open his tenure, Ziavras will lead a new production of Verdi’s “Otello” this October in a staging directed by Katharina Kastening. The conductor will also lead Bizet’s “Carmen” and Ellen Reid’s “PRISM” during the season.

Alongside his position at Oper Wuppertal, Ziavras will continue his collaboration with the Sinfonieorchester Wuppertal and maintain a symphonic career in Germany and internationally. Upcoming engagements include his debut with the Athens State Orchestra at the Megaron Athens Concert Hall in March 2027.

The Greek-born and German-raised Ziavras previously held a longstanding position at Theater Krefeld und Mönchengladbach, where he rose to Deputy Music Director. He has also been a frequent guest conductor at the Greek National Opera and the Maria Callas Music Theatre in Athens.

He has also appeared at the Kölner Philharmonie, WDR Funkhaus Köln, the Athens Concert Hall, the Greek National Opera, and Oper Wuppertal, and has conducted orchestras including the Sinfonieorchester Wuppertal, Südwestfälische Philharmonie, Bodensee Philharmonie, the Greek Radio Symphony Orchestra, and the Athens Symphony Orchestra, as well as contemporary ensembles including Ensemble Musikfabrik and ÉRMA Ensemble