General Music Director Alexander Merzyn's contract with the Cottbus State Theatre will expire on July 31, 2028. "After a long time together, it will be important for both the orchestra and me to receive new artistic impulses and develop new perspectives," the conductor explained in a statement released by the theatre on Wednesday. Born in Kiel in 1983, Merzyn has been General Music Director since December 2019. He had already been serving in the position on an interim basis since August 2018.

Alexander Merzyn

Under Merzyn's direction, the orchestra and the entire music department of the State Theatre experienced many glorious moments, explained the designated artistic director, Berthold Schneider. "I have great respect for his achievements at the theatre and look forward to the remaining time we will spend together."

The concert program was already very well attended when Merzyn took office, it was stated. After the pandemic-related restrictions, this level was reached again in 2022 and has been steadily increasing ever since. Currently, the concert program at the Cottbus State Theatre is recording about a third more visitors than in 2018.

Merzyn emphasized that he was leaving with mixed feelings. He wanted to complete "our two major cycles with Bruckner and Mahler, as well as many other wonderful projects" before the end of his term.

Merzyn initially studied cello and played in the German Symphony Orchestra Berlin and the Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra. From 2009, he studied conducting in Weimar. In 2015, he became First Kapellmeister at the Coburg State Theatre and moved to the same position at the Cottbus State Theatre in 2017.

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