Israeli Opera Announces Key Artistic Leadership Appointments
The Israeli Opera has announced a series of appointments ahead of its 2026/27 season, appointing director Shirit Lee Weiss as the new artistic director for opera.
Additionally, Maestro Dan Ettinger's tenure as musical director has been extended by four years. Martin Engström, founder of the Verbier Festival, has been appointed as a senior international artistic advisor.
Weiss, who joined the Israeli Opera in 2009, has held various artistic roles, most recently as casting and artistic coordination director. Since 2017, she has also served as the artistic director of Meitar Opera Studio. In her new role, she will oversee the artistic planning and development of the opera program, including repertoire, productions, and casting, collaborating with artists from Israel and abroad.
Ettinger will continue to lead the orchestra, choir, and soloists. Alongside his role at the opera, he is also the musical director of the Rishon LeZion Symphony Orchestra. He began his career at the opera as choirmaster and later as house conductor, developing an international career that includes conducting at the Metropolitan Opera in New York, Covent Garden in London, and the Vienna State Opera.
Engström, a Stockholm native with over five decades of experience in artist management, recordings, and artistic planning, will advise on repertoire, casting, artistic strategy, and international collaborations. He previously served as vice president for artists and repertoire at Deutsche Grammophon and co-founded the Verbier Festival in 1991.
The repertoire and future seasons will be formulated by a committee including Opera CEO Tali Barash-Gottlieb, Weiss, Ettinger, and Engström.
Furthermore, the opera announced the appointment of Shani Frieden as chairwoman of the young friends' association, Opera Club. Established in 2024, the club aims to connect new, younger audiences with the opera and expand its supporter base, with annual memberships starting at NIS 2,500.
