Conductor Stephan Zilias will become the new music director of Opera Ballet Vlaanderen starting in September 2026. He succeeds Alejo Pérez, who stepped down in October 2025.
Zilias studied piano and orchestral conducting in Cologne, Düsseldorf, and London, where he is an Associate of the Royal Academy of Music.
Since 2020, Stephan Zilias has been Generalmusikdirektor of the Staatsoper Hannover. His contract ended last year but was extended for the current season. He has built a strong artistic profile with productions encompassing both major romantic repertoire and contemporary creations. His musical direction of works including Lohengrin, Der Rosenkavalier, Parsifal, Lear, La Juive, Greek Passion, Carmen, Otello, The Turn of the Screw, Mefistofele, Rusalka, and Der Vampyr was praised for its musical clarity and dramatic depth. Under his leadership, the Staatsoper Hannover orchestra strengthened its reputation as one of the most versatile ensembles in the German-speaking opera world. In 2021, Staatsoper Hannover won the OPER! award for Opera House of the Year, and under his direction the house has regularly received nominations in the journal Opernwelt.
He was Kapellmeister at the Deutsche Oper Berlin and assistant to Sir Donald Runnicles. In recent seasons he has conducted Fidelio, Madama Butterfly, Oceane by Detlev Glanert, and an acclaimed Antikrist by Rued Langgaard directed by Ersan Mondtag. Guest appearances include the Leipzig Opera, the National Theatre Prague, the Savonlinna Festival in Finland, and the Theater an der Wien, where he is currently preparing the Austrian premiere of Alice in Wonderland by Unsuk Chin.On the concert podium he feels right at home with an extensive repertoire including works by Schumann, Dutilleux, and Haydn, as well as world premieres of contemporary works. He is regularly invited by the Staatsorchestr Nürnberg, Teatro Lirico di Cagliari, Zurich Chamber Orchestra, Berne Symphony Orchestra, Bremen Philharmonic, Orchestre Symphonique de Mulhouse, Beethoven Orchestra Bonn, and the Netherlands Radio Philharmonic.
Stephan Zilias has previously appeared at Opera Ballet Vlaanderen as conductor of Der Freischütz by Carl Maria von Weber, in a production by Christoph Marthaler. A daring production that also earned considerable praise on the musical front both domestically and internationally.
With this appointment, Opera Ballet Vlaanderen affirms its ambition to deepen the artistic development of its orchestra and strengthen the dialogue between tradition and innovation. "I have very warm memories of Der Freischütz, where I immediately felt a strong connection with the spirit and atmosphere of Opera Ballet Vlaanderen," says Stephan Zilias. "I have always admired the great artistic openness and clear vision with which the company keeps opera and ballet relevant, lively, and exciting. Together we will continue to explore new musical perspectives with the orchestra, choir, singers, and the entire team – a wonderful challenge that I very much look forward to."
"In Stephan Zilias we welcome a conductor with international experience, a broad musical vision, and a great sense of adventure," says Jan Vandenhouwe, artistic director of Opera Ballet Vlaanderen. "His musicality, openness, and ability to combine tradition with innovation fit perfectly with Opera Ballet Vlaanderen's artistic direction."
Zilias will remain at Staatsoper Hannover until August and will begin his work at Opera Ballet Vlaanderen in September.
Zilias will remain at Staatsoper Hannover until August and will take up his position at Opera Ballet Vlaanderen in September.
