Aidan Lang has been named Seattle Opera’s third general director, effective Sept. 1, 2014. Lang succeeds Speight Jenkins, who has led the company for more than three decades. Forty-two candidates from seven countries were considered for the position.
Lang will join Seattle Opera as general director designate on March 10, 2014, working closely with general director Jenkins and executive director Kelly Tweeddale during the transition period. Jenkins continues as general director through August 2014, having created the programming for both the 2013-14 and 2014-15 seasons. Beginning immediately, Lang will be included in planning for the 2015-16 season, working toward his first fully programmed season in 2016/17.
Lang has served as general director of New Zealand Opera since 2006. Prior to that, he held artistic leadership positions at Buxton Festival, Glyndebourne Festival Opera, Glyndebourne Touring Opera and Opera Zuid in the Netherlands. Concurrent with these leadership positions, Lang was a sought-after freelance director, working around the world.
Lang is a graduate of The Tiffin School and the University of Birmingham. He will relocate to Seattle with his wife of 23 years, the former soprano Linda Kitchen, and their 16-year-old daughter, Eleanor.
In addition to his operatic leadership skills and international directing experience, Lang is an accomplished musician, having studied clarinet since age 8.
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