Volksoper Wien has hired Omer Meir Wellber as its next music director. Wellber will start working with the opera company from the 2022-23 season.
In recent years Wellber has become one of the world’s most sought-after conductors. BBC Philharmonic, Teatro Massimo Palermo, Semperoper Dresden and Raanana Symphonette are among his current employers.
Remarked Lotte de Beer, the Volksoper’s director designate, “I couldn’t be happier about the appointment of Omer Meir Wellber…he is one of the most exciting conductors of our time. His brilliant musicality paired with his forward thinking and bubbling creativity, make him the ideal partner to take Volksoper Wien into a new era.”
To date, Wellber’s conducting career has seen him perform with the Metropolitan Opera, Bayerische Staatsoper, Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, NDR Elbphilharmonie Orchestra, Zurich Tonhalle Orchestra, Glyndebourne Festival, Teatro La Fenice in Venice and Arena di Verona.
Outside of music he has published a novel and also co-written a book on Mozart’s operas.
“I would like to add that great music will define our performance schedule,” said Wellber. “And it will be accessible to all citizens of Vienna – as the name indicates, this is an opera house for the people, providing outstanding quality. We are determined to make the Volksoper one of the most exciting music theatres in Europe.”
