Staatsoper Hannover has announced the extension of Music Director Stephan Zilias contract until the end of the 2025-26 season.

In a statement, Zilias said, “I consider my job a privilege and am deeply grateful for all the artistic and human experiences that I am able to have every day. In intensive discussions with Bodo Busse, I discovered that there are many overlaps and common interests, which is why I am very pleased to be able to help shape his inaugural season…From the summer of 2026, I would like to devote more time to being a guest and at the same time spend more time with my family. Until then, there are still a lot of big tasks waiting for me, which I will take on with unwavering commitment and creativity and which I am looking forward to with all my heart.”

The conductor began his position with Staatsoper Hannover in 2020-21 following his debut at the opera house in 2019.

Throughout his career, Zilias has conducted at the Theater an der Wien, Savonlinna Opera Festival, Oper Bonn, Deutsche Oper Berin, and Opera Vlaanderen.