Conductor Viswa Subbaraman Named Artistic Director at Skylight Music Theatre for 2013-14 Season

Skylight Music Theatre today announced that Viswa Subbaraman (VISH wa Soo ba RAH man), artistic director and founder of Opera Vista in Houston and former assistant conductor of the Orchestre National de France, will become the company's next artistic director. Subbaraman will start his new position with the 2013-14 season.

"Skylight has an outstanding national reputation for doing top-notch work, and I am excited to be joining such an inspiring and vibrant organization," Subbaraman said. "To have this opportunity to shape the artistic vision of one of the country's premier musical theatre companies is a true honor. I look forward to working with Skylight, its artists and audiences - as well as Milwaukee's diverse arts community."

Amy Jensen, Skylight's managing director, said Subbaraman will bring a new vision - along with some surprises - to Skylight, which celebrates its 54th anniversary in 2012.

"Viswa's ideas for creating memorable musical theatre experiences and building new audiences are innovative and exhilarating," she said. "He has a distinct knack for embracing the future while honoring the past. We think our longtime patrons will continue to love Skylight with Viswa at the artistic helm, and those who haven't had the chance to get to know us will find his vision has a place for them, too."

Subbaraman, who is 35 and grew up in West Texas, founded Opera Vista, Houston's innovative contemporary opera company, in 2005. At Opera Vista, Subbaraman's accomplishments have included the world premiere of James Norman's "Wake...," the Texas premiere and historic New Orleans premiere of Amy Beach's "Cabildo" and the creation of the annual Vista Competition for new opera. He was named one of the Houston Press' 100 Most Creative People for 2012 and received the Houston Press' MasterMind Award in 2010.