By Liana Cole, Florida Grand Opera

Hailed by critics around the globe, Spanish conductor-pianist Ramon Tebar will take on the roll as Florida Grand Opera’s new Music Director starting June 1, 2011, becoming the first Spanish conductor to lead a major American opera company. It took two years for FGO to carefully fill the position and Tebar aims to not only meet, but surpass the high expectations.

“I am honored to have been appointed Music Director, getting the opportunity to be part of Miami’s cultural renaissance and its impact on the South Florida community,” said Tebar. Tebar has worked with FGO in the past, conducting Lucia di Lammermoor in 2009. The production was highly acclaimed by audiences and critiques alike, which lead to his return to FGO in November 2010 to work his magic on Turandot. His magnificent work earned him FGO’s 2010 Henry C. Clark Conductor of the Year Award. His productions were acclaimed as “masterly” by El Nuevo Herald and “stately” by Miami New Times. South Florida Classical Review applauded Tebar for “providing a lot of the opera’s propulsive force.”

“We are proud to welcome such a blossoming talent as Ramon Tebar to Florida Grand Opera,” said General Director and CEO Bob Heuer. “His background, youthful energy and diverse experience in symphonic and operatic repertoire make the ideal match for our organization and we look forward to seeing what we can accomplish together.”

Tebar’s artistry and finesse has graced other companies throughout the country, including the Cincinnati Opera, Atlanta Symphony and Naples Symphony Orchestra. Leaving Spain in 2005, Tebar accepted an assistant conductor position with Palm Beach Opera. There, driven by his passion and ambition, he participated in over 20 productions including Madame Butterfly, Le Boheme and Italiana in Algeri.

From Mexico City’s Palacio de Bellas Artes to Teatro Regio di Torino in Italy, Tebar’s buzzing touring schedule has jet-set him all over the globe to conduct in some of the world’s most prominent theaters. His unwavering talents have also led him to work with some of the most celebrated voices of this era, including Montserrat Caballe and Renata Scotto. As FGO’s Music Director Tebar will be responsible for protecting the musical integrity and performance level of the orchestra, chorus and singers as well as providing his own artistic vision.