The Dallas Opera has appointed a new music director—only the third person ever to be named to that position in the 56-year history of the company. Acclaimed French-born conductor Emmanuel Villaume will take over the baton to conduct the upcoming season-opener of Carmen this October.
“Over the past year, I have actively sought input from a wide variety of sources, both inside and outside Dallas,” said Dallas Opera General Director and CEO Keith Cerny. “I was delighted to see the intense level of interest in this position from candidates of the highest caliber, many of whom have extraordinarily busy careers conducting at the world’s leading opera houses. Having carefully weighed all input, spoken with a number of these candidates, and traveled extensively to watch contenders for the position in both rehearsal and performance, I made the decision to appoint French-born conductor Emmanuel Villaume as Music Director of The Dallas Opera.”
Maestro Emmanuel Villaume has appeared in the world’s most important and prestigious opera houses, including engagements with the Metropolitan Opera, Royal Opera, Santa Fe Opera, and Washington’s National Opera.
“I am honored to be selected as Music Director of the Dallas Opera and to be a part of such a talented artistic community,” said Emmanuel Villaume. “The Winspear Opera House is one of the most beautiful performing arts venues in the world, and I am excited to be working with the superb orchestra and dedicated staff of the Dallas Opera. I look forward to helping create even more brilliant performances with this impassioned opera company.”
After opening Dallas Opera’s 2013-2014 season, Maestro Villaume returns to Royal Opera House, Covent Garden for performances of Massenet’s Manon and to Venice’s La fenice for performances of L’africaine. Maestro Villaume maintains a busy schedule of symphonic performances including concerts with the Slovak Philharmonic Orchestra and the Slovenian Philharmonic.
“Maestro Villaume will work in a multi-faceted capacity during the production season, but our new Music Director will also spend time outside the regular season spreading the word about TDO throughout the Metroplex, said Cerny.v“I also believe that Emmanuel Villaume will prove an excellent ambassador for the company while attending to his many national and international conducting engagements,” Cerny added, “and will help the Dallas Opera to continue to attract the best singers, directors and designers at work in our field today.”
