The Finnish National Opera has nominated Thomas de Mallet-Burgess as artistic director.

He is expected to start his term on August 1, 2023 and is under contract for four years until the end of the 2026-27 season. The contract comes with an optional three-year extension. Among his first assignments will be roster planning for the 2025-26 season.

De Mallet Burgess had been recommended by the Board of the Finnish National Opera and Ballet Foundation for the position. His appointment is the result of a unanimous vote. Additionally, the company revealed that the appointment was made after hearing from staff groups across the organization.

“While the orchestra, the largest of the groups, was supportive of the nomination, the singers made a neutral statement and the rest of the creative staff were supportive with reservations. Among others, the latter group includes production assistants stage, pianists, line blowers and choir directors,” the company noted in an official press release it issued.

“The Finnish National Opera has a sustained and distinguished track record of achievement. I am excited by the company’s ambition to develop and renew traditions and uphold its values ​​of artistic excellence and collaboration. I believe that opera should speak to our time and place and I look forward to working with the talented and committed community of the National Opera and Ballet of Finland to explore what this means for artists and audiences in Finland, including core repertoire approaches, new works, site-specific work and digital work. It is an honor to be appointed to this position,” added de Mallet Burgess.