The General Director of the Paris Opera announced on Tuesday that the conductor Semyon Bychkov (73 years old), born in Russia and a U.S. citizen, will assume the position of the Opera’s new Music Director in 2028. His duties will include developing its symphonic activities.
It was stated that “Bychkov will assume the position of Music Director” on August 1, 2028, for four seasons.
Bychkov will also assume the position of “Designated Music Director” on August 1 of this year, focusing on “monitoring the artistic quality of the orchestra, chorus, and vocal coaches,” according to the Paris Opera. He will participate in “developing the program and the major competitions for selecting musicians.”
The position has been vacant since 2023
The Music Director position has remained vacant since the sudden resignation in 2023 of conductor Gustavo Dudamel, for personal reasons, after holding the position for two years.
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Bychkov said, “I am very moved; I never imagined I would be asked to take on this position.”
Bychkov, who has resided in France for about forty years, holds the position of Chief Conductor and Music Director of the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra since 2018.
Bychkov will be responsible for leading “two opera productions and six symphonic concert programs each season in Paris and on artistic tours,” according to the Paris Opera.
Paris Opera
The Paris Opera, officially known as the Palais Garnier, is a historic 19th-century opera house inaugurated in 1875. Commissioned by Emperor Napoleon III and designed by Charles Garnier, it is celebrated as a masterpiece of Beaux-Arts architecture and remains one of the world’s most famous venues for ballet and opera.
Russia
Russia is the world’s largest country by land area, spanning Eastern Europe and Northern Asia. Its history is marked by the rise and fall of the Tsarist Empire, the 1917 Bolshevik Revolution which established the Soviet Union, and its re-emergence as the Russian Federation in 1991 following the USSR’s dissolution. It is renowned for its vast landscapes, rich literary and artistic traditions, and complex political history.
U.S.
The United States is a federal republic founded in 1776 following a war for independence from Great Britain, establishing itself as the world’s first modern constitutional democracy. It grew from thirteen original colonies into a global superpower, with its history profoundly shaped by westward expansion, the Civil War, industrialization, and large-scale immigration.
France
France is a Western European country with a rich history shaped by Celtic, Roman, and Frankish influences, evolving from a monarchy into a leading republic. It is globally renowned for its cultural landmarks like the Eiffel Tower and Louvre Museum, as well as its profound impact on art, philosophy, and cuisine.
Czech Philharmonic Orchestra
The Czech Philharmonic Orchestra, founded in 1896, gave its first concert under the baton of Antonín Dvořák. It has since become one of the world’s leading orchestras, renowned for its interpretations of Czech classical music and its long-standing artistic tradition.
Paris
Paris is the capital of France, historically founded as a Gallo-Roman settlement in the 3rd century BC. It is globally renowned as a center for art, fashion, and culture, home to iconic landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre Museum, and Notre-Dame Cathedral.
