Florida Grand Opera (FGO) has appointed conductor Pablo Mielgo as its new Music Director. Working closely with recently appointed General Director and CEO Maria Todaro, Mielgo will help establish the company’s own resident orchestra, recruiting musicians, developing the orchestra’s identity and shaping its future. Mielgo, who has served as Artistic and Musical Director of the Orquestra Simfònica de les Illes Balears since 2014, is a protégé of Sir Colin Davis and former assistant to Daniel Barenboim and James Conlon, bringing a wealth of international experience to his new role.
Opera Colorado has welcomed Barbara Lynne Jamison as its next General Director and CEO. Jamison, who was previously General Director and CEO at Kentucky Opera and Director of Programs and Partnerships at Seattle Opera, succeeds Greg Carpenter who steps down after over two decades with the company.
Opera Theatre of Saint Louis (OTSL) has announced the appointment of Patricia Racette as its new Artistic Director from 1 October 2025, following a rigorous international search conducted by the Catherine French Group. An internationally acclaimed soprano, director and mentor, Racette made her OTSL debut in 1993 as Donna Elvira in Don Giovanni and has led the company’s Young Artist Programs since 2019. Her appointment marks a historic milestone as she becomes the first woman to hold this position since the company’s founding, succeeding James Robinson and Colin Graham. Racette’s transition coincides with OTSL’s 50th Festival Season. As Artistic Director Designate, she will begin shaping OTSL’s artistic vision immediately, and in her new role will continue to direct productions, curate programming, support new works, mentor artists and help shape the company’s future artistic trajectory.
San Diego Opera has announced the extension of Principal Conductor Yves Abel’s contract until the end of the 2031-32 season, continuing his tenure which began in 2022. A frequent guest with the world’s leading opera houses and orchestras, Abel has brought international acclaim to San Diego Opera and will lead productions including Pagliacci and The Barber of Seville next season. The French-Canadian conductor is celebrated for his expertise in French repertoire and his award-winning work as founder of L’Opéra Français de New York.
Myung-Whun Chung has been named as the next Music Director of Teatro alla Scala, succeeding Riccardo Chailly at the end of his recently extended contract in 2026. Chung, who first debuted at
La Scala in 1989 and currently serves as Honorary Conductor of the Filarmonica della Scala, brings a distinguished career that includes leadership roles with the Dresden Staatskapelle, Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra, Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France, KBS Symphony Orchestra, Saarbrücken Radio Symphony Orchestra, Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia and Opéra de Paris-Bastille. Renowned for his deep connection with the La Scala orchestra and chorus, as well as his broad operatic and symphonic repertoire, Chung is expected to further elevate the company’s international profile. He will take up the role following Chailly’s tenure, which began in 2017.
Antonio Pappano has become the first Conductor Laureate of The Royal Opera, recognising his 22-year tenure as Music Director, during which he conducted over 700 performances. Pappano will continue to be part of The Royal Opera, conducting regularly, including the final two instalments of the Ring cycle, directed by Barrie Kosky.
Adrian Eröd has been announced as the new Artistic Director of the Wiener Staatsoper’s Opernstudio, starting at the beginning of the 2026–27 season. The baritone, who first joined the company in 2003, will bring his extensive experience to the role, guiding young singers throughout their two-year development programme.
