John Keene appointed chorus director of San Francisco Opera

San Francisco Opera (SFO) has announced the appointment of John Keene as Chorus Director. Keene will take up the role in January 2022, succeeding Ian Robertson who will retire at the end of this year following a 35-year tenure.

Keene’s appointment is a result of a search led by general director Matthew Shilvock, artistic managing director Gregory Henkel and Eun Sun Kim, music director of the Caroline H. Hume Concert Hall, which involved rehearsals with the Chorus.

John Keene said: ‘I was inspired by the immediate connection I felt with the Chorus when we rehearsed together recently, and I am so looking forward to our work of bringing the highest possible artistic standard onstage for our audiences.’

The SFO Chorus was established in 1927 by company founder and general director Gaetano Merola, becoming full-time in 1981. Today, the Chorus consists of a Regular Chorus and an Extra Chorus, expanding the ensemble to 100 singers or more.

Keene will be responsible for the San Francisco Opera Chorus, working closely with music director Kim, guest conductors and music staff. Currently head of music staff and chorus master at Seattle Opera, Keene will relocate to the Bay Area to begin rehearsals for SFO’s summer season and prepare the Opera Chorus for the Company’s upcoming centennial season.

Music director Eun Sun Kim said: ‘I have been consistently impressed by John’s vision—he is a big-picture thinker who understands how things function both on stage and between departments.’

Keene made his Seattle Opera debut in 2012 preparing the company’s chorus for Beethoven’s Fidelio. Previously, he served as head of music staff and chorus master with Florida Grand Opera. His operatic resume includes collaboration with Opera Theatre of Saint Louis, New Orleans Opera and San Francisco Opera Centre.

American Guild of Musical Artists representative and San Francisco Opera chorister Sally Mouzon talked about Keene’s rehearsal with the Chorus as part of the selection process. She said: ‘In working with us, he demonstrated terrific musicality and a great ear, he was clear and easy to follow, and he showed a clear respect for us, as well as an ability to work with us as experienced professionals.’

You can find out more about the SFO Chorus at the San Francisco Opera website.