Thomas de Mallet Burgess, an Englishman, has most recently been Director General of the New Zealand Opera.
The National Opera gets a new artistic director.
Thomas de Mallet Burgess is looking forward to his new job.
– The Finnish National Opera is a respected organisation with a proven track record. I appreciate its ambition to develop and renew traditions and share its values of high artistic excellence and collaboration.
In a teleconference, de Mallet Burgess said that he plans to move from New Zealand to Finland. In addition, he promised with a smile that he would learn Finnish.
The new artistic director’s contract was signed for four years and includes a three-year option. The first program designed by de Mallet Burgess will be seen in the 2025-2026 season.
A reform-minded leader
Under Thomas de Mallet Burgess, New Zealand opera audiences grew. He made several reforms, some of which also attracted criticism.
Director General Gita Kadambi reminds that de Mallet Burgess’s role in New Zealand was different. A lot of economic and artistic reforms were needed there.
– Here at the Finnish National Opera, there is no need for corresponding significant reforms or changes. However, courage is an important quality of an artistic director.
Before leaving New Zealand Opera, Thomas de Mallet Burgess founded Lost in Australia
In addition to New Zealand, De Mallet Burgess has directed opera productions at, among others, the Canadian Opera Company, the Royal Opera House in London and the Wexford Opera Festival.