(Credit: Geoffroy Schied)

The Bayerische Staatsoper has named Petr Popelka as its new General Music Director.

The conductor will begin his tenure during the 2029-30 season.

In a statement the company said, “As one of the most exciting conductors of his generation, Petr Popelka will assume the role of Music Director of the Bayerische Staatsoper and the Bayersiches Staatsorchester. Following his acclaimed debut at the 2025 Opera Festival and his return with ‘Rusalka’ in 2026, this marks the beginning of a shared future that we are very much looking forward to. Welcome to Munich, Petr Popelka.”

Popelka is currently the Chief Conductor at the Wiener Symphoniker since the 2024-25 season and is also the Chief Conductor and Artistic Director of the Prague Radio Symphony Orchestra. He has conducted at the Theater an der Wien, Staatsoper Unter den Linden, and Prague Spring Festival. 

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