New Zealand Opera has announced the appointment of Brad Cohen as the company’s new Common Director commencing June two thousand twenty-three. Cohen replaces Thomas de Mallet Burgess, who's served as Common Director of NZO for the past five years. Having navigated the company through the pandemic, De Mallet Burgess leaves to get up a new role as Artistic Director of Opera at the Finnish National Opera and Ballet in August two thousand twenty-three below a four-year contract. “[Cohen] brings with him a wealth of information and experience in the opera sector,” said NZO Board Chair Annabel Holland. “He has conducted a wide-ranging repertoire throughout the opera hos of the world and has had artistic, managerial, and strategic responsibilities as Artistic Director at W Australian Opera, he also mentored and coached many artists.”

Cohen is a conductor, musician and publisher, with experience in the digital music and music technology sectors. He grew up in Sydney before studying at Oxford University, the Royal College of Music, and the Royal Northern College of Music. A year after winning the one thousand nine hundred ninety-four Leeds Conductor’s Competition, Cohen conducted the world premiere of Thomas Adès’ Powder her Face. In the years since he's led orchestras including the London Philharmonic, the Philharmonia, the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Melbourne Symphony Orchestra and the BBC National Orchestra of Wales. Cohen has conducted a wide-ranging repertoire at opera companies including English National Opera, NY City Opera, and Opera Australia. His numerous recordings for Deutsche Grammophon, Chandos and Naxos encompass both French and Italian operas.

With his appointment after a long-standing relationship with the NZO, Cohen will continue on with the company’s ambition to opera that connects and inspires reflection on human experience, further cultivate the cultural ecosystem of New Zealand, and celebrate the country’s Māori and Pasifika communities and wealthy cultural diversity. “In these times of modify and disruption, New Zealand Opera has demonstrated vision and bravery in acknowledging and engaging with the issues confronting opera. I see forward to working with the Board and staff in strengthening our connection with communities and audiences, growing our opera ecosystem, celebrating our history, and playing our portion in creating a sustainable future for opera in New Zealand.” said Cohen.