Alexander Neef reappointed head of the Paris Opera until 2032

The general director of the Paris Opera Alexander Neef has been reappointed in his position until 2032, the Élysée said in a press release on Wednesday. His mandate, which runs until 2026, was renewed for six additional years, by decision of the President of the Republic and on the proposal of the Minister of Culture Rachida Dati.

Arriving in 2020, in the midst of a health crisis, “Mr. Neef will therefore remain in office at the head of the first national lyrical and choreographic scene until 2032,” specifies the Élysée. With the ambition to “continue and amplify all of the transformative actions that it has initiated”.

Since his arrival, “innovative projects have emerged, such as the Paris Opéra Play streaming platform or the Opéra en Guyana program which introduces young people to the disciplines of choral singing or dance.” To its credit also, according to the Élysée, attention paid to diversity, the development of patronage and a policy of cost control.

In 2023, the Paris Opera named stars with very varied profiles, in the person of Hannah O'Neill, Marc Moreau and Guillaume Diop, the first black principal dancer of the 300-year-old institution.

Alexander Neef's new mandate will be marked by major renovation projects of the technical and stage installations of the Palais Garnier and the Bastille opera house, the Élysée further underlines.

A polyglot German aged 50, the director was mentored by the Belgian Gérard Mortier, his predecessor at the head of the institution from 2004 to 2009. He previously made the Toronto Opera a renowned stage, from which he helped to rejuvenate the public.