Director Yuval Sharon, who took on the role of Artistic Director at Detroit Opera in 2020, has renewed his contract through the end of the 2027/28 season.
With this extension, Sharon will be able to design the upcoming seasons around three central themes: America (25/26), Faith (26/27), and Sustainability (27/28). These themes will shape repertoire selections, institutional decisions, and community education initiatives.
The 25/26 season, themed "America," will mark the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. Sharon has selected works by American composers as well as European composers' pieces about America, using these to provoke discussions on American identity and national consciousness.
Known for his innovative approach, Sharon is the founder and co-Artistic Director of The Industry, which has staged operas in unconventional locations such as train stations, airplane hangars, and Los Angeles’s roadways.
He also serves as the first Artist-Collaborator at the Los Angeles Philharmonic, where he has directed Meredith Monk’s ATLAS and John Cage’s Europeras 1&2. Additionally, Sharon was the first American to direct a performance at the Bayreuth Festival.
"Since joining Detroit Opera in 2020, we’ve engaged with Detroit’s environment by staging performances in locations like parking garages, the Aretha Franklin Amphitheatre, and the Gem Theatre," Sharon said. “Moving forward, we aim to delve into issues that resonate deeply with the community, bringing the innovative spirit of our site-specific pieces into the Detroit Opera House.”
“Instead of starting with traditional repertoire and fitting a theme to it, we’re beginning with a focus and constructing an entire season’s activities around it.”
“The selected themes were chosen for their relevance to the Detroit community: examining contemporary and historical American identity and its future; exploring faith and how our places of worship, city, and opera house can inspire meaningful change; and addressing the impact of climate change on artistic expression and vice versa.”
“Beyond our operatic projects, this work will also occur backstage, within our company, and throughout the city. I am excited to collaborate with our staff and community partners to build a lasting relationship with Detroit residents who share these concerns.”
