National Opera Studio appoints Eric Melear as artistic director

British opera training organisation the National Opera Studio (NOS) has today announced the appointment of American coach, pianist and conductor Eric Melear to the role of artistic director. Joining the studio in July 2024, Melear’s appointment marks the beginning of a new joint leadership structure for NOS.

Succeeding David Sulkin OBE, who steps down from his position in June 2024, Melear will work closely with NOS executive director Nicholas Simpson. Melear will oversee the delivery of NOS’s training programmes and manage the organisation’s relationships within the sector with particular focus on its partnerships with English National Opera, Glyndebourne, Opera North, the Royal Opera House, Scottish Opera and Welsh National Opera.

Melear said: ‘I am thrilled to join the National Opera Studio's excellent team and rich history to recruit and guide the next generation’s opera stars. NOS is uniquely positioned to creatively connect a diverse group of artists with our partner companies, and I look forward to building on its already strong foundations to fully prepare artists for their international careers.’

Currently on the music staff of the Vienna State Opera, Melear brings to his new role experience of leading talent development programmes at both Houston Grand Opera and Wolf Trap Opera and as a guest coach for programmes in the UK, the US and Italy.

NOS chair Nicholas Allan said: ‘Under [Melear’s] leadership, we are confident in our ability to reach new heights in developing world-class opera talent. I’d like to thank David for his many contributions to artist development at NOS over the last six years, not least his leadership and innovation in our initiatives to increase diversity and inclusion in our sector.’