Czech conductor Petr Popelka has been appointed as Bayerischer Generalmusikdirektor – the role taking on general music direction of the Bayerische Staatsoper and Staatsorchester – from the 2029/30 season, succeeding Vladimir Jurowski, whose tenure concludes at the end of the 2028/29 season.
The appointment, announced by Bavaria’s Minister of State for Science and the Arts, Markus Blume, includes leading both the Bayerische Staatsoper and the Staatsorchester. As General Music Director, Popelka will assume overall responsibility for the institution's musical direction, working alongside General Director Serge Dorny to shape its artistic profile.
Announcing the appointment, Dorny praised Popelka’s musical clarity, orchestral expertise and affinity with the German-Austrian repertoire, while highlighting his ability to combine tradition with a contemporary artistic outlook.
Popelka made his Bayerische Staatsoper debut during the 2025 Munich Opera Festival, conducting Janáček’s Káťa Kabanová. He returns to Munich this summer to lead Dvořák’s Rusalka at the 2026 festival.
He described the appointment as a great honour, citing both the international standing of the Bayerische Staatsoper and the Staatsorchester and his long-standing connection with Munich. “From the very first moment with the orchestra, it was clear to me that this is the place where a special artistic relationship can develop for me,” he said. “I love Munich and have long admired the incredible tradition and innovative spirit of this institution.”
Blume called Popelka “one of the most exciting conducting personalities of his generation”, pointing to his rapid rise from orchestral musician to an internationally active conductor working with ensembles across Europe, Asia and North America.
Popelka began his career as a double bassist, serving as deputy principal bass of the Sächsische Staatskapelle Dresden between 2010 and 2019 before turning his focus to conducting. He has held chief conducting positions with the Prague Radio Symphony Orchestra and the Norwegian Radio Orchestra, and since 2024 has served as Chief Conductor of the Vienna Symphony Orchestra.
He joins a distinguished line of conductors who have held the position, including Richard Strauss, Bruno Walter, Sir Georg Solti, Wolfgang Sawallisch, Zubin Mehta, Kent Nagano, Kirill Petrenko and Vladimir Jurowski.
