Pierre Audi is to become only the sixth general director of Festival d’Aix-en-Provence when he takes over from Bernard Foccroulle on 1 September, 2018. The opera and classical music festival, first run in 1948, is a highlight of the French classical music calendar.
The 59-year-old Audi has held the position of artistic director at Dutch National Opera (DNO) for an impressive 28 years, more than half of the company’s history. DNO was recently named Company of the Year at the International Opera Awards in London.
‘I am thrilled that Pierre Audi will lead the responsibility of the general direction of the Festival d’Aix,’ said festival president Bruno Roger. ‘Thanks to Pierre Audi, DNO is now one of the most important institutions of the world, characterised by the excellency of its artistic program, via the development of an international network of high quality co-producers and an important focus on audience diversification and growth.’ The festival has been among DNO’s artistic partners during Audi’s tenure.
Notable Audi works include the first Netherlands production of Wagner’s Ring Cycle, a cycle of four Monteverdi operas that toured to America and Australia, and a contemporary production of Harrison Birtwistle’s Punch and Judy.
Audi is currently artistic director Park Avenue Armory in New York, and spent 10 years as director of Holland Festival. His work has been recognised with the Leslie Boosey Award for his contribution to British Musical Life; a Silver Medal of the City of Amsterdam for his work at Holland Festival; and he was also made a Chevalier de la Légion d’Honneur by the French government.
