Wales change chorus master

press release:

Welsh National Opera appoint Alexander Martin as Chorus Master

Alexander Martin will start his role as WNO Chorus Master this August and his debut season with the Company will see him working with WNO’s critically acclaimed Chorus on Rossini’s William Tell and Moses in Egypt and Bizet’s Carmen. In Spring 2015 Alexander will conduct WNO’s new production of Chorus! which will put WNO Chorus centre stage and feature some of the greatest moments in opera.

Alexander Martin says, “After more than twenty years working on the continent I am honoured and thrilled to have the opportunity to direct Welsh National Opera’s fine chorus. The chorus really is at the heart of WNO’s exciting and innovative artistic programme, and the performance and rehearsal spaces available to us at Wales Millennium Centre are second to none.”

After studying Music at St John’s College, Cambridge and the piano at Royal College of Music in London Alexander worked as répétiteur at Opéra National de Lyon, Hamburg State Opera and at the Hesse State Opera in Wiesbaden before embarking on a freelance career working as conductor, assistant and coach at many European opera houses and festivals. He has previously held positions as Chorus Master and Head of Music at Bern in Switzerland before his most recent four years as Chorus Master at the Opéra National de Bordeaux.

In addition to his work in the opera house, Alexander Martin has been active as a pianist in chamber music (Erato recording of Schoenberg transcriptions from Opéra National de Lyon) and as a song recital accompanist with concerts in Athens, Hamburg, Como, Milan, Lyon and Bern.

David Pountney, WNO Chief Executive and Artistic Director says, “Following the departure of the excellent Stephen Harris who lead the chorus to new heights with Moses und Aron, we are delighted to have obtained the services of Alexander Martin as his successor. Alexander brings a wealth of European opera experience with him, and will mark his debut with the company with another gigantic choral milestone: William Tell. We wish him well for an inspiring and creative time with WNO.”