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Peter Theiler becomes interim director of Essen Opera

Peter Theiler becomes interim director of Essen Opera
Peter Theiler takes over the Essen Opera as interim director for one year in 2027 / Photo: Robert Michael/dpa-Zentralbild/dpa
From: DieSachsen News
The Swiss had actually retired in 2024 - after his directorship at the Semperoper. But now Theiler will soon be commuting from the Elbe to the Ruhr for a while.

Former Semperoper director Peter Theiler (69) will take over the directorship of the Essen Opera and Orchestra next summer - on an interim basis for one year. This was announced by Essen's Lord Mayor Thomas Kufen.

Theiler will start next month in an advisory capacity and will "build a bridge to the future" for the opera house. The experienced opera man will also help in the search for a permanent artistic director after his interim season in 2027/28.

The opera professional has been retired since his departure from the Semperoper in 2024. His main place of residence will remain Dresden, said the 69-year-old. However, he is looking for a second home in Essen. During the transition, he will take on successful repertoire pieces from other houses in addition to his own productions. "The house needs a few good names to attract attention," said Theiler.

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Fahrholz leaves - capacity utilization only around 63 percent

The previous artistic director Merle Fahrholz will leave the Aalto-Musiktheater in Essen and the Essen Philharmonic Orchestra at the end of the 2027 season. The doctor of musicology had already announced last year that she would not be seeking an extension to her five-year contract.

Her concept, which included contemporary and rarely performed opera works, was only partially well received by audiences. At around 63 percent (2024/25), the opera's capacity utilization was considered to be significantly higher. In some productions, the musicians played in front of sparsely populated audiences.

New brilliance with Theiler?

The appointment could bring new brilliance to the Aalto Theater: Theiler, born in Basel, can look back on many years as artistic director and a correspondingly full address and telephone book. "I've already started calling around today," he said.

He was General Director of the Gelsenkirchen Musiktheater im Revier from 2001 to 2008, then State Director and Opera Director of the Nuremberg State Theatre until 2018 and finally six years at the Semperoper.

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