Artistic Director Bernd Loebe and General Music Director Thomas Guggeis will remain with the Frankfurt Opera for another four years. Their contracts have been extended until August 2032, Mayor Mike Josef and Head of Cultural Affairs Ina Hartwig (both SPD) announced on Thursday.

Contract extension at Frankfurt Opera

Josef called it "very good news for Frankfurt" that Loebe and Guggeis would continue their work at the opera long-term. Hartwig explained that by extending their contracts, the city was ensuring continuity at an institution that, thanks to its dedicated staff, ranks among the most prestigious opera houses in Europe.

"Bernd Loebe has shaped the Frankfurt Opera since the 2002/03 season with an excellent ensemble and exciting productions from all eras of musical theatre history," said Hartwig. At the same time, the artistic director always has the future in mind and invests in the voices of tomorrow: young singers find their way into the profession through the opera studio and often also into the ensemble.

General Music Director Thomas Guggeis has been responsible for the high-class musical quality since the 2023/24 season. "What he achieves with the Frankfurt Opera and Museum Orchestra, both in the opera house and in the museum concerts, never ceases to amaze me," emphasized the Head of Cultural Affairs.

Loebe thanked the city of Frankfurt for the trust it placed in him and Guggeis. The numerous awards of recent years demonstrated the achievements of the Frankfurt Opera, together with its ensemble, chorus, orchestra, and artistic and technical colleagues. "By 2032, I will have served as artistic director of the Frankfurt Opera for thirty years, and I still have many ideas that we are now working intensively to implement," he said. Guggeis added: "I look forward to working with the city to secure adequate funding for the opera house and orchestra, thus ensuring this excellent standard for Frankfurt in the long term."

During Loebe's tenure, the Frankfurt Opera was named "Opera House of the Year" seven times by critics from the magazine "Opernwelt." The Frankfurt Opera and Museum Orchestra received the title "Orchestra of the Year" six times – and most recently three times in a row. Guggeis was honored as "Conductor of the Year" in 2026.

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