Semyon Bychkov named Paris Opera musical director

The Soviet-born American conductor Semyon Bychkov has been appointed as the Paris Opera's next musical director, the company said on Tuesday. Bychkov, 73, will become music director designate on Aug. 1 and will take on the full position at the start of the 2028–29 season, with a mandate running through the end of the 2031–32 season.

He is currently chief conductor and music director of the Czech Philharmonic and will remain in that post through the 2027–28 season, the company said. The appointment comes as the opera plans to develop more symphonic programming while its two main houses are closed for renovations — the Palais Garnier from 2027 to 2029 and the Opéra Bastille from 2030 to 2032 — a shift Bychkov and the company say could allow the orchestra to add symphonic seasons similar to those at La Scala or the Berlin State Opera.

Bychkov said he insisted on a musicians' vote before accepting the role; the players voted overwhelmingly in his favour. Alexander Neef, the opera's general director, said in a statement that he has "complete confidence" in Bychkov, and John Allison of Opera Magazine called him "one of the few great conductors around." Rumours about Dudamel's replacement had circulated, with Pablo Heras-Casado at one point considered a likely candidate, according to Le Figaro.

Key Topics

Culture, Semyon Bychkov, Paris Opera, Czech Philharmonic, Palais Garnier, Opéra Bastille