Pittsburgh Opera has announced the appointment of William Powers as its new General Director, effective July 1, 2026.

He will succeed Christopher Hahn, who has served as Pittsburgh Opera’s General Director since 2008, and is retiring at the conclusion of Pittsburgh Opera’s 2025-26 season. Hahn is the the second-longest tenured General Director in company history.

Powers is a veteran artistic administrator with over 30 years’ experience who has been the Executive Director of the Pittsburgh Youth Symphony Orchestra (PYSO) since 2021. Prior to that, he worked at Pittsburgh Opera for 14 years, starting as Director of Artistic Administration, then being promoted to Director of Administration and Artistic Operations, and then to Managing Director.

He has also held posts with The Juilliard School’s Department of Vocal Arts, in the Artistic Department at The Metropolitan Opera and The Metropolitan Opera’s Lindemann Young Artist Development Program, as General Director of the Berkshire Opera Company, and seasonal positions with the Aspen Music Festival and The Music Academy of the West.

Regarding his new position Powers said, “I am both excited and humbled. Pittsburgh Opera has a long, distinguished lineage of General Directors. This company has accomplished great things in its first 87 seasons. I look forward to buildingon this legacy of artistic excellence, while helping ensure Pittsburgh Opera’s continued long-term fiscal stability.”

In a statement, Pittsburgh Opera Board President Gene said, “Bill is uniquely qualified to lead Pittsburgh Opera into the future. He is intimately familiar with our company, our city, and our patrons, and has demonstrated the ability to successfully helm performing arts organizations.”

Board Chair Michele Fabrizi added, “In many ways, Bill has been preparing for this role for decades. He arrives with instant credibility and goodwill both internally and externally.”