Latvian conductor Ainars Rubikis has been named the Generalmusikdirektor of Staatstheater Kassel starting during the 2025-6 season.

Rubikis was the General Music Director of the Komische Oper Berlin and was responsible for the musical fortunes of one of the country’s most renowned opera houses. Rubikis is already known to the orchestra of the Staatstheater Kassel from a previous collaboration.

In a statement, Art and Culture Minister Timon Gremmels said “I am pleased that we were able to attract such a prominent and high-profile artist to Kassel. I am convinced that Ainars Rubikis will succeed in combining musical excellence and artistic visions at the Staatstheater Kassel and turning them into outstanding projects for everyone involved on and in front of the stage, which will be an enrichment.”

Rubikis gained international attention in 2010 as the winner of the Gustav Mahler Conducting Competition and was later awarded the Nestlé and Salzburg Festival Young Conductors Award. He went on to conduct the Gustav Mahler Youth Orchestra at the Salzburg Festival. He has also collaborated with the Opera National de Montpellier, the Lyric Opera of Chicago and the Gran Teatre del Liceu Barcelona.