Germany’s Landestheater Detmold Appoints Next Music Director

Per-Otto Johansson will take on the new general music director role at the Landestheater Detmold in its upcoming concert season. 

“I am pleased to have gained a proven outstanding musician for the Landestheater Detmold in Per-Otto Johansson, who will contribute to the further development of the Landestheater with his integrative personality,” said the company’s artistic director Georg Heckel, in the press release.

Filling the music director position within the company involved a considerably long selection process. The company’s board, including chairman of the supervisory board and district administrator, Axel Lehmann, were among those pleased with the final outcome.

“It is a great honor for me to be entrusted with this position,” stated Johansson. “I am very grateful to be able to work with such capable and passionate people,” he continued. 

“I am looking forward to the journey together with the entire Landestheater Detmold and all employees,” he added. “Together we will continue to develop and grow professionally as a unit.”

Johansson began his music career in Sweden’s Marine Orchestra. He later attended the Royal Danish Academy of Music to study conducting with Michel Tabachnik. 

He has since led major ensembles around Europe and worked at both Stockholm and Copenhagen’s Royal Operas. His mentors have included Kurt Sanderling, Manfred Honeck, Leif Segerstam, and Esa-Pekka Salonen.