Austin Opera's General Director & CEO, Annie Burridge, announced today that Timothy Myers, the Sarah and Ernest Butler Principal Conductor and Artistic Advisor, will expand his role within the company and assume the position of Sarah and Ernest Butler Music Director starting from the 2023-2024 Season. Myers has been serving as the Principal Conductor and Artistic Advisor since 2020, following his role as Artistic Advisor from 2018 to 2020.
Burridge expressed her enthusiasm about Myers' continued growth within Austin Opera, emphasizing his invaluable contribution to the artistic offerings and the company's vision for the future of opera in Austin. She praised his partnership and ingenuity over the past five years, highlighting his instrumental role in elevating the quality and scope of their artistic endeavors.
As the Music Director, Myers will maintain his leadership over the Austin Opera Orchestra, which he has been collaborating with since his conducting debut with the company in 2019 for "Silent Night." Since then, Myers has conducted nine productions, including notable works such as "An All-Star Concert" featuring Isabel Leonard and Ryan Speedo Green, broadcast nationally on PBS 118 times, Puccini's "Tosca" at the Circuit of the Americas, "Bella Noche de Música" at the Moody Amphitheater, and the company debuts of Bates/Campbell's "The (R)evolution of Steve Jobs," Sondheim's "Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street," and Bizet's "The Pearl Fishers" at the Long Center for the Performing Arts. Additionally, he will remain an essential member of the company's artistic planning team, working closely with Annie Burridge, Nathan DePoint (Chief Producing Officer), and Claudia Chapa (Curator for Hispanic & Latinx Programming).
Reflecting on his journey with Austin Opera, Myers expressed his satisfaction in collaborating with the entire staff and board, alongside Burridge, Nate, Claudia, and others, to curate seasons that honor classical works, share community-centric stories, and innovate the future of opera. He expressed excitement about his expanded role and his intention to deepen his connection with the talented musicians of the Austin Opera Orchestra and Chorus. Myers expressed his belief in Austin Opera's bright future and his commitment to enhancing the company's position among the vibrant arts and cultural landscape of Austin, while also supporting its international impact. Notably, he and his wife recently acquired a second home in Austin, solidifying their commitment to the city and their desire to spend more time with their family there.
The position of Music Director has been endowed by Austin philanthropists Sarah and Ernest Butler, who have also provided financial support for several of Myers' conducting engagements with the company. The Butlers expressed their pride in Austin Opera's artistic trajectory under the leadership of Annie and Timothy. They acknowledged Myers' significant contributions, particularly in the growth and excellence of the Austin Opera Orchestra, and expressed their anticipation for his involvement in all three productions of the upcoming season.
Myers, mentored by Lorin Maazel, has an impressive background in opera and symphonic conducting. He has worked with renowned organizations such as the Lyric Opera of Chicago, Santa Fe Opera, Washington National Opera, Houston Grand Opera, The Atlanta Opera, Spoleto Festival USA, and the Wexford Festival. His symphonic conducting engagements have taken him around the world, leading orchestras such as the American, Beijing NCPA, Chautauqua, Jerusalem, Milwaukee, North Carolina, Portland, Toledo, Tulsa, and Winston-Salem Symphony orchestras, as well as the Brooklyn, Johannesburg, and Malaysian Philharmonic orchestras. Myers is also the host of the "Listening on Purpose" podcast, exploring the themes of listening and connection
