“Seattle Opera has chosen Aidan Lang to be its third general director, taking over in September 2014,” writes Patti Payne in the Puget Sound Business Journal (Washington). “Born in London, Lang has 27 years of experience in both artistic and management roles in opera and has worked with New Zealand Opera, Glyndebourne Opera Festival, the Buxton Festival and Opera Zuid.… Lang has big shoes to fill. He will follow the sprightly and talented Speight Jenkins, 76 … who has led the company for three decades and put Seattle on par with top opera cities.… John Nesholm, chairman of the board of Seattle Opera and head of the search committee, says the two-year search turned up just what they were seeking…. Founded in 1963, Seattle Opera has only had two general directors before Lang, the first one being opera impresario Glynn Ross. The opera company celebrates its 50th anniversary starting in August with the production of Wagner’s ‘Ring’ … and has, according to opera company stats, the highest per capita attendance of any major opera company in the country.… Lang will start work in March of next year as general director designate, working alongside Jenkins for a smooth transition.”
Posted June 24, 2013
