Daniele Rustioni Named Directeur Musical Emérite at Opéra de Lyon

The 41-year-old Italian conductor will leave the French house to become Principal Guest Conductor at the Met

The Italian conductor Daniele Rustioni has been honored with the title of Directeur Musical Emérite, following his final performance at the helm of France's Opéra de Lyon.

Having arrived in Lyon in 2017, Rustioni has now completed his contract and will be moving on to a new position as Principal Guest Conductor at The Metropolitan Opera.

Until October 2023, Rustioni was Principal Guest Conductor of the Bavarian State Opera, a position created especially for him. He has conducted at the Aix-en-Provence Festival, BBC Proms, Berlin State Opera, Dutch National Opera, Paris Opera, Royal Opera House Covent Garden, Salzburg Festival, Teatro Real, Zurich Opera House, and the Teatro alla Scala, among others.

He has also held symphonic positions, including as Music Director of the Ulster Orchestra and of the Orchestra della Toscana.

In July 2024, he was awarded the Chevalier des Arts et Lettres of the French Republic for his service to French culture.

"Last night, all the Opéra de Lyon teams were very emotional during the last performance of the opera La Forza del Destino conducted by Daniele Rustioni," the company wrote in a statement. "[It was] an opportunity for Richard Brunel to pay tribute to him, celebrate his collaboration with musical groups since 2017, and announce his appointment as Musical Director Emeritus of the Lyon Opera."

"We look forward to his recent appointment as chief guest conductor at The Metropolitan Opera in New York and we will also have the pleasure of having him back in Lyon in the coming seasons for exceptional concerts. A huge thank you, Maestro!"