The Paris Opera has chosen Semyon Bychkov to take over as Music Director from August 1, 2028, for a four-season term. Prior to this, the conductor will assume the role of Music Director Designate from August 1, 2026, to prepare for the transition and support the company's ensembles, under the guidance of the General Director. Alexander Neef.
A conductor already linked to the Paris Opera for almost twenty years
This appointment is part of a long-standing artistic relationship, as recalled by Alexander Neef in a text released by the institution: Semyon Bychkov has already conducted several landmark productions in Paris, from Verdi to Wagner, and is due to return for Eugene Onegin in 2026. The general manager highlights a collaboration built over the course of operatic projects, symphonic concerts and a tour in Japan, with the idea of opening "a new chapter" for the Orchestra and the Choirs, in a context of transformation of the house.
Semyon Bychkov, a Russian-born conductor who became a naturalized American citizen, also claims a special attachment to the Parisian institution. In his statement published by the Paris Opera, he says he has lived in France for over 35 years and insists on one principle: "the foundation of any opera house lies in the excellence of its orchestra and chorus," which he intends to preserve and develop.
A roadmap focused on symphonic music and recruitment preparation
Starting in the summer of 2026, as indicated by the Paris Opera, Bychkov will monitor the artistic quality of the Orchestra, Chorus, and vocal coaches, participate in programming development, and take part in the main recruitment competitions for musicians. From 2028, he will extend these responsibilities with a more demanding conducting schedule: two opera productions and six symphonic programs per season, both in Paris and on tour, according to information released at the time of the announcement (AFP).
This acceleration is intended, in particular, to strengthen the place of the symphonic repertoire in the house's identity, a point the conductor emphasized during the announcement, stating that the current volume of concerts is insufficient (AFP). His appointment comes after a period of vacancy in the position, since the departure of Gustavo Dudamel in 2023, and was preceded by a unanimous vote of the 175 musicians of the Paris Opera Orchestra, according to AFP.
