Jung Myung-hoon Appointed as First Asian Music Director of La Scala Theatre
Conductor Jung Myung-hoon (72) has been appointed as the next music director of the world-renowned opera house Teatro alla Scala in Milan, Italy.
On the 12th (local time), La Scala Theatre officially announced on its website that Jung Myung-hoon will succeed the current music director, Riccardo Chailly, starting in 2027.
Opened in 1778, La Scala Theatre has premiered numerous masterpieces, including Giuseppe Verdi's "Nabucco" (1842) and "Otello" (1887), and Giacomo Puccini's "Madama Butterfly" (1904), making it a prestigious opera house representing Italy.
La Scala is considered the dream stage for vocalists worldwide. In the 247-year history of the theatre, Jung Myung-hoon is the first Asian to hold the position of music director.
According to the Italian daily La Repubblica, General Director Fortunato Ortombina officially proposed Jung Myung-hoon's appointment as music director to the board, which approved it unanimously.
Jung Myung-hoon's term is set to last until 2030, coinciding with the end of General Director Ortombina's tenure.
Jung Myung-hoon’s Journey as a World-Class Conductor
Jung Myung-hoon began his musical career as a pianist.
He gained recognition by finishing second at the Tchaikovsky International Competition in 1974, and started his conducting career when he was appointed as the associate conductor of the Los Angeles Philharmonic in 1978.
In the 1980s, he made his way to Europe, serving as the music director of the Saarländisches Staatstheater in Germany and the music director of the Opéra National de Paris.
He is currently the principal guest conductor of the Dresden Staatskapelle in Germany, an honorary music director of the Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France in Paris, and serves as the principal conductor of the KBS Symphony Orchestra.
Image source: Conductor Jung Myung-hoon / News1
