(Credit: Melbourne Symphony Orchestra Official Website)

The Welsh National Opera has announced that Tianyi Lu will be the first Female Conductor in Residence with the company.

Lu was born in Shanghai but was raised in New Zealand. She eventually completed her Master of Music in Orchestra Conducting at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama.

She is currently the Assistant Conduct of the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra and Principal Conductor of the St. Woolos Sinfonia. She was also a Dudamel Fellow with the Los Angeles Philharmonic during the 2017-18 season.

“I am thrilled to be back in Cardiff, my second home, to work with the many creative and courageous individuals that make up the vibrant organization that is WNO,” Lu noted in a press release. “The Company has inspired me for many years and I will relish the opportunity to dive into the diverse range of projects during my post over the next 18 months.”

The program will allow her an opportunity to work under the mentorship of British conductor Alice Farnham. She will initiate the residency working on a new production of “Carmen” under Music Director Tomas Hanus and WNO Associate Harry Ogg. Lu will also observe preparatory work on “Rigoletto” and “The Cunning Little Vixen.”