Nicola Luisotti, music director of San Francisco Opera and principal guest conductor of the Tokyo Philharmonic, has added another appointment to his string of conducting roles. Over the weekend the Italian was named music director of Teatro di San Carlo in Naples with immediate effect, succeeding former principal conductor Maurizio Benini and music director Jeffrey Tate. 

Born in Tuscany, 50-year-old Luisotti now has the opportunity to conduct regularly on his home soil. Teatro di San Carlo is the oldest theatre in Europe, founded in 1737, and in 2010 reopened after a period of significant restoration.

‘I have spent a good deal of time abroad in the last ten years of my career,’ he said. ‘My heart fills with joy at the thought of spending so much more time in my home country with such a prestigious appointment.’

Full details of the appointment will be announced at a press conference on March 7 when Luisotti will be at San Carlo to begin rehearsals for Verdi’s I Masnadieri, directed by Gabriele Lavia.