Thursday, April 21, 2011

HGO's Anthony Freud To Replace LOC's William Mason

Mr. Freud will leave Houston
"Lyric Opera of Chicago named Anthony Freud as its new general director, succeeding William Mason, 69 years old, who had announced plans to retire. The changeover becomes effective Oct. 1, opening night of Lyric's 2011-2012 season. Mr. Freud, a 53-year-old native of London, has been general director of the Houston Grand Opera since 2006 and, prior to that, was general director of the Welsh National Opera. He also currently is chairman of Opera America, the largest professional opera association in North America. In 2010, Mr. Freud commissioned and produced the world's first mariachi opera, Cruzar la Cara de la Luna/To Cross the Face of the Moon, a work recounting the story of three generations of a family in Texas and Mexico. Mr. Freud will be the fourth general director in Lyric's 57-year history." [Source]