Florida Grand Opera Names Spanish Music Director Ramon Tebar

First Spanish Conductor to Lead a Major American Opera Company

Florida Grand Opera was formed in June 1994 by the merger of Greater Miami Opera, founded in 1941, and The Opera Guild Inc., of Fort Lauderdale, founded in 1945. Celebrating its 70th season of continuous performances during the 2010-2011 season, Florida Grand Opera stands as one of the oldest performing arts organizations in Florida. In addition to producing standard repertoire, Florida Grand Opera also presents lesser known operas, as well as commissions and produces new operas. Annually, performances are attended by nearly 1MIAMI – Feb. 25, 2011 – Following a careful three year search, Florida Grand Opera is proud to announce the appointment of Spanish conductor Ramon Tebar as Music Director, effective June 1, 2011.

“As a company that has taken pride in developing young artists, we are proud to welcome such a blossoming talent as Ramon Tebar to Florida Grand Opera,” said General Director and CEO Bob Heuer.

“His background, youthful energy and diverse experience in symphonic and operatic repertoire make the ideal match for our organization and we look forward to seeing what we can accomplish together.”

Currently serving as Music Director for the Palm Beach Symphony, he debuted there as Resident Conductor in 2009, having already made his mark in other American companies, including the Cincinnati Opera, Atlanta Symphony and Palm Beach Opera. In January 2010, he made his first FGO appearance, conducting Lucia di Lammermoor.

"For me, it was love at first sight,” said Ramon Tebar, recalling his experience with FGO. “I am honored to have been appointed Music Director, getting the opportunity to be part of Miami’s cultural renaissance and its impact on the South Florida community. I am very thankful to Bob Heuer and the Board, knowing this will be a very exciting journey for both FGO and me,” said Tebar Lucia was such a resounding success that he was invited back for Turandot in November 2010. His work was called “masterly” by El Nuevo Herald and “stately” by Miami New Times as well as charged with “providing a lot of the opera’s propulsive force,” according to South Florida Classical Review. This outstanding performance earned him FGO’s 2010 Henry C. Clark Conductor of the Year Award.

Tebar came to the United States in 2005 to take an assistant conductor position with Palm Beach Opera, participating in more than 20 productions and conducting Madame Butterfly, La Boheme and L’Italiana in Algeri. In addition to his resident work, Tebar has an active touring schedule that has lead him to conduct in some of the most prestigious theaters around the world, from Mexico City’s Palacio de Bellas Artes to Teatro Regio di Torino in Italy, as well as worked with renowned voices, including Montserrat Caballe, Renata Scotto, Mariella Devia, Teresa Berganza and Ben Heppner.

Tebar began his conducting career at the age of 15 as an assistant conductor and pianist in his home town of Valencia, Spain. He graduated with honors from the Joaquin Rodrigo Music Conservatory (Conservatorio Superior de Música Joaquin Rodrigo) in Valencia, receiving a Special Honor Award in Piano and Chamber Music Degrees along with numerous other recognitions.

As Music Director for FGO, Tebar will provide an artistic vision, watching over the musical integrity and performance level of the orchestra, chorus and singers. He will also work directly with Heuer and Director of Artistic Administration Kelly Anderson on artistic planning and recommending singers for upcoming seasons Tebar will manage a hectic schedule simultaneously serving as Music Director for FGO and Palm Beach Symphony while continuing to tour the world for a series of concerts and appearances. He resides in South Florida with his wife and new born daughter.