The Royal Academy of Music has announced a new head of opera.

The school announced that Christopher White, one of the most respected musicians in European operatic life, will take over the department.

Over the past 15 years, he has worked as repertoire, coach, assistant conductor, and language coach with some of the world’s leading companies including the Royal Opera, English National Opera, Glyndebourne, Bavarian State Opera, Opernhaus Zürich, and Israeli Opera. He has also worked with Bayreuth and the Salzburg Festival.

He has also served as Head of Music at Deutsche Oper Berlin and has also worked with such conductors as Edward Gardner, Jakub Hrůša, Marek Janowski, Vladimir Jurowski, Sir Simon Rattle, Sir Donald Runnicles, and Franz Welser-Möst.

Regarding his appointment, White said, “Having recently ‘come home’ to the Royal Academy of Music after building my career internationally, I am thrilled to have the opportunity to lead Royal Academy Opera in its mission to provide world-class training for young singers at the outset of their careers. I took my first steps as an opera musician with Royal Academy Opera, and I know first-hand how much the institution has to offer its young artists. As such, I am honoured to have been given the chance to continue and build upon that work. I look forward to bringing my experience of the European opera scene to bear as we seek to provide a platform for the best young singers to fulfill their potential.”

Jonathan Freeman-Attwood, Principal of the Royal Academy of Music added, “I’m delighted that Christopher will be continuing the outstanding work of Brenda Hurley. Christopher is a hugely capable and wide-ranging musician who will bring exceptional qualities to this important role. Apart from his credentials as an inspiring coach and leader, his knowledge of the international opera scene will be invaluable for our students and provide added ballast to Brenda’s next role as Visiting Professor, helping shape the Academy’s work into our third century.”