Chavaz to Become Artistic Director in Essen
Swiss director Julien Chavaz will become the new artistic director of the Aalto Music Theater and the Essen Philharmonic Orchestra starting in 2028.
According to German media reports, Julien Chavaz, who was born in Bern, will become artistic director of the Aalto Music Theater and the Essen Philharmonic Orchestra starting with the 2028–2029 season. He was selected from among 40 candidates. Chavaz currently serves as general director of the Magdeburg Theater.
Julien Chavaz studied agricultural sciences in Zurich and dramaturgy in Lausanne, and served as artistic director of the Neue Oper Freiburg (NOF) in Switzerland from 2018 to 2022. He has also worked as an assistant director at the Opéra de Paris, the Opéra de Lyon, and De Nationale Opera Amsterdam.
The Aalto Music Theater, the Essen Philharmonic, the Aalto Ballet Essen, the Schauspiel Essen, and the Philharmonie Essen are all part of the Aalto Music Theater and Philharmonie Essen, making it one of Germany’s largest theater and concert organizations. Merle Fahrholz is currently the artistic director of the Aalto Music Theater and the Essen Philharmonic, while Andrea Sanguineti serves as the general music director of the Essen Philharmonic. Marie Babette Nierenz serves as the artistic director of the Philharmonie.
