May Festival Chorus Announces First Ever Female Conductor

The Cincinnati May Festival announced today that conductor Eun Sun Kim will make her exciting Festival debut on May 18, leading the May Festival Chorus and the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra ( CSO ) in a performance of Verdi's Messa da Requiem at the renovated Cincinnati Music Hall. She replaces the previously announced conductor, James Levine.

Born in Korea, Ms. Kim made her acclaimed U.S. debut in October, leading performances of Verdi's La Traviata at the Houston Grand Opera, and she is quickly gaining notoriety around the globe for her great sensitivity and artistry.

She will make her debut with the San Francisco Opera during the 2018 - 19 season and will be the first woman to conduct a concert in the May Festival's 145 - year history. " We are thrilled to welcome Eun Sun Kim to the May Festival, " said the Festival's Principal Conductor Juanjo Mena. " The Verdi Requiem is an iconic work, and we look forward to a powerful performance. " The May 18 concert also features soprano Michelle Bradley, mezzo - soprano Ekaterina Semenchuk, and tenor Matthew Polenzani.

Eun Sun Kim studied composition and conducting in Seoul and continued her training in Stuttgart where she graduated with distinction. Immediately after graduation, she was awarded First Prize at the International Jesús López Cobos Opera Conducting Competition.

Her biography is available online. The May Festival, featuring the May Festival Chorus and CSO, is programmed to inspire audiences with fresh collaborations while also drawing on its rich tradition as Cincinnati's longest running arts organization. Cincinnati's Music Hall, which re - opened in October 2017 after a $ 143 million renovation, was originally built for the May Festival in 1878. More information is available on the May Festival website.