SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) The Santa Fe Opera has selected British conductor Harry Bicket to become its chief conductor. Opera General Director Charles MacKay said Wednesday that Bicket's appointment takes effect in October and he will conduct a performance of Beethoven's “Fidelio'' in the summer of 2014.
Bicket was born in England and educated at Oxford. He became artistic director of the English Concert in 2007, and will continue in that position. MacKay described Bicket as “one of the most important and sought-after conductors working today.'' Bicket currently is conducting performances at the Metropolitan Opera of Handel's “Giulio Cesare.''
The Santa Fe Opera's season runs from June until late August. Opera chief conductor Frederic Chaslin resigned last year to focus on composing and because of his concert and recording schedule.
