The Teatro Petruzzelli has appointed Stefano Montanari as the new Principal Conductor.

The conductor will take over the position in January 2024 and will remain with the company for three years. He previously opened the Bari theater’s 2023 season by conducting a production of Rossini’s “Il Barbiere di Siviglia” and  conducted Beethiven’s Ninth Symphony in February.

In a statement, the Teatro Petruzzelli’s Superintendent Massimo Biscardi said, “We have a real conductor who will infect us with his enthusiasm. The choice was shared with the orchestra players.”

In response to his new position Montanari added, “There will be a traditional repertoire, and a less traditional one that I will continue to play when there is a possibility.