Germany’s Pforzheim Theater Appoints New General Music Director

Conductor Daniel Inbal will assume the role as of the 2025/26 concert season

The German conductor Daniel Inbal has been unanimously selected to join the Pforzheim Theater as General Music Director at the recommendation of the search committee. 

To succeed Robin Davis, who was first appointed to the role in 2020, Inbal was selected from a pool of 79 applicants in a tiered selection process. Ultimately, he won for “his extensive experience and confidence in all musical areas.”

Chaired by Mayor Peter Boch, the search committee comprised representatives from the municipal council’s political groups, the theater management, an external consultant, the head of HR, the orchestra’s board, and other staff representatives.

Hailing from Aachen, Germany, Inbal studied piano at the Hanover University of Music following studies with Dr. Hoch’s Conservatory in Frankfurt. He also pursued conducting at the Vienna University of Music, graduating with distinction. 

In 2003, he became chief conductor of the Prussian Chamber Orchestra, and was later musical assistant to Leopold Hager and conductor at the Vienna Volksoper. Since 2002, he has often collaborated with the Braunschweig State Orchestra, and in 2006, he moved to the Bern City Theater as First Kapellmeister. 

From 2010, Inbal has been First Kapellmeister and Deputy General Music Director of the Osnabrück Theater, where his work has included numerous world premieres and award-winning productions.

“I have come to know Daniel Inbal as a strong yet insightful artist,” Mayor Boch said. “With his diverse, new ideas and great passion, he will surely inspire young people and families to enjoy music. We made a very good choice here.”

“I see our new General Music Director Daniel Inbal as a bridge-builder who, with innovative concert formats, will inspire new segments of our city's population for classical music,” expressed Managing Director Uwe Dürigen.

“Daniel Inbal is a sophisticated, inspiring musician with an artistic eye for the bigger picture,” added Artistic Director Markus Hertel.