Bogdan Roščić will replace Dominic Meyer as director of Vienna State Opera from 2020. Roščić has a background in the recording industry, and is currently head of Sony’s classical division. It is the first time he has worked at an opera house.
Culture minister Thomas Drozda described Roščić as ‘a top manager for classical music’ who, ‘brings international competence and leadership experience.’ He also said he hopes Roščić can position the company as ‘the leading institution of our cultural landscape.’
Vienna State Opera is one of the world’s largest opera companies, with a huge repertory of more than 50 works. But while the company has been successful, some have labelled it as lacking in adventure and experimentation, with too few premieres.
Another issue during Meyer’s tenure has been a clash between management and conductors. Music director Franz Welser-Moest quit in 2014, while another conductor Bertrand de Billy also cancelled his engagements with the opera house. The company has been without a music director since Welser-Moest’s resignation.