SFCM Alum Appointed Music Director of Detroit Opera
Roberto Kalb, (‘09) will lead the Detroit Opera through the end of the 2025-26 season.
SFCM alum and Askonas Holt Artist Roberto Kalb.
By Mark Taylor
One SFCM graduate will soon be in the driver’s seat of the Motor City opera landscape.
Detroit Opera has announced that Roberto Kalb will be its next Music Director through the end of the 2025-26 season. “I couldn't be more excited to be appointed the Music Director of Detroit Opera. It is a company with an important history in Michigan, and the US,” Kalb said. Kalb studied composition at SFCM and graduated in 2009.
“I'm always deeply thankful for my experience and education at SFCM, which not only gave me the fundamental tools to be competitive in this challenging business, but also allowed me to make important friendships and connections that are vibrant even today," Kalb added. While at SFCM, Kalb studied with professors Scott Foglesong, Elinor Armer and Nikolaus Hohmann, and credits all three for helping him get where he is today.
It has been a busy time for Kalb, who will also make San Francisco history this summer when he conducts the first Spanish-language work in San Francisco Opera’s history. Kalb and El Último Sueño de Frida y Diego is scheduled to debut on the SF Opera stage June 13-30th, 2023. Kalb is also represented by Askonas Holt, the leading artist management company acquired by SFCM in 2022.
Kalb hopes to take Detroit Opera's productions even further, presenting fresh takes on classic pieces as well as premieres of new operas, with a goal of introducing brand new audiences to the opera world. “We have big plans for next season, to be announced soon, and I can't wait to share them with the world,” Kalb said.
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