Yves Abel Extends Contract at San Diego Opera

Abel will remain the company's Principal Conductor until at least 2032

Yves Abel, who was appointed Principal Conductor of San Diego Opera in 2020, has signed a five-year contract extension with the company in California — and will now remain in the role until at least the 2031/32 season.

Hailing originally from French Canada, Abel has made a particular specialism out of the performance of French works. He is Founder and Music Director of L’Opéra Francais de New York, a group which has rediscovered and performed previously forgotten French works. Abel was made a Chevalier de l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres for this work in 2009.

Abel has appeared with companies such as the Metropolitan Opera, Royal Opera House Covent Garden, Wiener Staatsoper, Teatro alla Scala, Opéra National de Paris, Gran Teatre del Liceu de Barcelona, Lyric Opera of Chicago, San Francisco Opera, Bayerische Staatsoper Munich, Rossini Opera Festival di Pesaro, Teatro dell’Opera di Roma, Teatro San Carlo di Napoli, New National Theatre Tokyo, and Glyndebourne Festival Opera.

He served as Chief Conductor of the Nordwestdeutsche Philharmonie between 2015 and 2021, and has also previously been Principal Guest Conductor of the Deutsche Oper Berlin (from 2005 to 2013).

Abel's discography includes works such as Thaïs with Renée Fleming and Werther with Andrea Bocelli (Decca), Madama Butterfly with the Philharmonia Orchestra (Chandos), two collections of French arias — one with Susan Graham and the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra (Erato) and one with Patricia Petibon and the Orchestra of the Opera National de Lyon (Decca) – and Romantique, a collection of romantic arias with Elina Garanca (Deutsche Grammophon).

"The San Diego Opera has been one of the great joys of my artistic life," Abel said. "Closely collaborating with David Bennett in ensuring the finest international level has been most meaningful. And our partnership with the world class San Diego Symphony and our very own San Diego Opera Chorus has made for performances of the highest standards.  I eagerly look forward to Pagliacci and The Barber of Seville next year as well as other future adventures."

"Yves Abel is one of the reasons attending San Diego Opera is a world-class experience," said David Bennett, General Director of San Diego Opera. "He has an extraordinarily deft touch with the wide variety and historical periods of opera music, whether classical, baroque, or even contemporary.  The San Diego Symphony musicians love working with him, and he’s also forged a bond with San Diego audiences, from the ticket buyers who return to see him conduct to board members and supporters who value his friendship.  I’m thrilled that our collaboration will continue as we write the next chapter in San Diego Opera history."