The Board of West Australian Opera has today announced the appointment of Brad Cohen to the post of Artistic Director. He takes over from New Yorker, Joseph Colaneri who parted company with WA Opera after only two-and-a-years in the job.

UK-based but Australian-born, Cohen has an excellent reputation both at home and abroad, particularly in the field of bel canto opera, and has frequently been involved in projects outside of the mainstream repertoire. He also has an excellent track record in commissioning new work including the world premiere of Thomas Adès’ controversial Powder her Face (a musical masterpiece, which was rather hijacked by the media focus on an onstage act of fellatio). He conducted the Australian premiere of Jonathan Dove’s comic gem, Flight – a delightful opera set in an airport departure lounge – as well as the same composer’s compelling Tobias and the Angel.

West Australian Opera Chairman Terry Bowen said that Cohen, who has guest conducted the company over several years now and has worked with British composer Jonathan Dove on written-for-TV operas, “would bring extensive local and international experience to the role, a strong involvement in the commissioning and performance of new music, and direct experience of contemporary...