Scottish Opera has appointed Emmanuel Joel-Hornak as its new music director. The French conductor will succeed Francesco Corti to become only the fifth director in the company’s 50-year history.
Joel-Hornak previously conducted productions of Verdi’s La Traviata (in the 2008/09 season) and Humperdinck’s Hansel and Gretel (in 2012) with the company. He initially studied at the Paris Conservatoire, before he went on to conduct around the world, including at English National Opera, Sydney Opera House and the Bolshoi Theatre.
'I am extremely proud and honoured to become the new music director of Scottish Opera,' said Joel-Hornak. 'For a number of years I have had a very strong relationship with this world-renowned company.
'I am particularly thrilled, after a life of worldwide travelling, to become a settled part of the Scottish Opera community, and to experience and share with people all around Scotland the fantastic joys and emotions that the great composers have given to us through the wonderful form of art that is opera.'
His first performances with the company will be announced in May with the launch of the 2013-14 season.