The Staatstheater Kassel today announced the appointment of Ainārs Rubiķis as General Music Director for an initial term of three seasons beginning in September 2025. He will conduct a minimum of two productions and four symphonic concerts per season.

Having made his debut there in 2021, Ainārs most recently conducted the orchestra in Webern’s Passacaglia and Beethoven’s Symphony No.6 ‘Pastoral’.

Ainārs concluded his term as General Music Director of Komische Oper Berlin in summer 2022, having earned consistent praise for his work across a wealth of repertoire. He served as Music Director and Chief Conductor of Novosibirsk State Academic Opera and Ballet Theatre from 2012 to 2014, and was awarded a prestigious Golden Mask Award as Best Conductor for the company’s new production of Bernstein’s Mass. In 2020, he was awarded a second Golden Mask Award for his performances of Rusalka with the Bolshoi Theatre.

Also in demand as a Guest Conductor, Ainārs recently led the National Taiwan Symphony on a four-concert tour of Taiwan and Japan. He also made a return to Philharmonie de Paris with Orchestre national d'Île-de-France, conducted the opening concert of the George Enescu Festival, and made debuts with Adelaide Symphony and NFM Wrocław. Next season he makes his English National Opera debut conducting Figaro with Askonas Holt artists Rebecca Evans and Ava Dodd.

Of the appointment in Kassel, Ainārs said, “I cannot wait to become part of the team and start my work with these great musicians. It is a great honour for me to be given the opportunity to work with these creative people who have impressed me greatly with their dedication and passion for their work, the theatre and the city.”