Portland Opera, in Oregon, has recently announced that Damien Greter will serve as its new Music Director. Greter had already been serving as the company's Interim Music Director and Artistic Advisor.
A composer and bass-baritone, Geter has recently been commissioned to write new works for the Richmond Symphony and Nathaniel Dett Chorale. His recent opera American Apollo was premiered by Des Moines Metro Opera in the 2023/24 season, to critical acclaim.
Other recent appearances include the Chicago Symphony Orchestra programming Geter’s Annunciation on the concert Montgomery and the Blacknificent 7; the Richmond Symphony premiering Sinfonia Americana; the song cycle COTTON receiving its New York premiere at the 92nd Street Y (performed by Denyce Graves and Justin Austin); the Oregon Bach Festival presenting Geter's new Bach transcription after Prelude and Fugue No. 2 in C Minor from The Well-Tempered Clavier; and the Recording Inclusivity Initiative recording his String Quartet No. 1 "Neo-Soul."
As conductor, he has recently led Paul Moravec’s opera The Shining (based on the novel by Stephen King) at Portland Opera, and has also led Carmel Symphony Orchestra’s Opening Night Gala, titled America the Beautiful.
"I’m delighted to announce my appointment as Music Director for Portland Opera," Geter wrote on social media. "I’m looking forward to continuing this collab with the wonderful orchestra, chorus, guest artists, and colleagues as we continue to shepherd the scintillating world of opera into the 21st century."
