Detroit Opera Names New Music Director

Conductor Roberto Kalb will step into the role immediately, with his initial contract continuing until the end of the 2025/26 season

Despite the Detroit Opera's 59-year history, conductor Roberto Kalb will be only the second person to hold the title of Music Director. His predecessor, David DiChiera, was in the role between 1963 and 2016.

Born in Mexico, Kalb holds degrees from the University of Michigan and the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. In 2021, he was a recipient of the prestigious Solti Foundation US Career Assistance Award.

Between 2014 and 2019, Kalb was the Resident Conductor and Head of Music at the Opera Theatre of Saint Louis. Since then, he has made many debuts elsewhere — including a performance of Carmen with the Lyric Opera of Kansas City in September, and an appearance at the San Diego Opera conducting the world premiere of El último sueño de Frida y Diego by Grammy Award–winning composer Gabriela Lena Frank.

"I am thrilled to become the Music Director of Detroit Opera," Kalb said. "I feel deeply connected to this company, orchestra, and community. I can’t wait to continue and aid in Detroit Opera’s leading-edge artistry, under Wayne Brown’s leadership, with Yuval Sharon’s pioneering artistic vision, and to work closely with the brilliant Christine Goerke, and the amazing Detroit Opera staff."

"I've had such fabulous rapport with the Detroit Opera Orchestra from the get-go, and I’m excited for the many projects and operas that we will bring to life together in the coming seasons. I can’t imagine an opera company that is more in touch with what it means to produce opera for our modern-day audiences, or one that is better attuned to its community."

"Roberto’s excellent reputation at Detroit Opera preceded him, but I was overjoyed to experience his excellent musicianship and his collaborative ethos during La Bohème last April," added Yuval Sharon, the company's Artistic Director. "He led the orchestra with rigor and care, and their overwhelming enthusiasm for his artistry and his manner made him a natural fit for the role of Music Director."