At the start of the 2005/06 season, Australian conductor Simone Young took over artistic direction at the Hamburg State Opera. As the new Opera Manager and Artistic Director, as well as Hamburg’s Principal Musical Director, she will be presenting exciting music theatre. She has scheduled five premières, two major revivals and numerous repertoire productions for the season. Voices new to the ensemble will appeal to the audience just as much as the many guest appearances from those who have already enjoyed major success elsewhere. But there will also be reunions with many familiar and well celebrated artists. Simone Young has succeeded in attracting directors new to Hamburg to work on the new productions. Her approach is to combine the traditions of the Hamburg State Opera with modern music theatre. Three major artistic/political dramas - "Mathis the Painter", "Simon Boccanegra" and "Idomeneo" – provide ample opportunity for analysis and reflection – true works of our times”, says she. “As counterpoint there are the two comedies "A Midsummer Night's Dream" and "La Fille du Régiment", in which the indestructible topics of life and love are echoed with magical tones and elegant humour.” The programme also features experimental music theatre in "Opera stabile” and new series such as “after work” concerts and “Pieces Half Way to the Stage”.
