SFCM has appointed Jose Maria Condemi as its new Director of Opera beginning in July 1. An innovative stage director, Condemi is known for bringing theatrical and visual flair to productions at San Francisco Opera, Lyric Opera of Chicago, Houston Grand Opera and major companies across the United States and abroad. He is also a sought-after teacher at elite collegiate and opera training programs including the San Francisco Opera Center, Seattle Opera Young Artists Program and Houston Grand Opera Studio, among others. As Director of Opera, Condemi will set the artistic vision of the program, oversee opera and musical theater productions and integrate season events with the Conservatory’s mission and curriculum.

Faculty member Curt Pajer will become Musical and Managing Director of Opera and work closely with Condemi on all aspects of planning, repertoire selection and casting auditions. Pajer, who has served as music director and interim director of opera at SFCM, works concurrently on the music staff of San Francisco Opera and has extensive experience including positions as assistant conductor at New York City Opera and head of music staff at both Opera Theatre of Saint Louis and the Wexford Festival Opera in Ireland.

President David H. Stull says Jose Maria Condemi’s experience and skills will further enhance the Conservatory’s flagship opera program and enrich vocal study at the school. “Jose Maria's superlative work as an artist is only matched by his remarkable mentorship of young singers. His vision for our program is both innovative and compelling, and will accentuate a department of world class faculty that has produced some of the finest young singers in the world today.”

Before assuming his new post in July, Condemi makes his SFCM debut this season as stage director of Donizetti’s L’elisir d’amore with performances on April 2 and 4. The Conservatory’s performance season concludes when Pajer conducts Britten’s Albert Herring on May 6 and 8.

Read the full press release.