Skylight Music Theatre artistic director Viswa Subbaraman will step down from his position on July 31, the organization announced Wednesday.
Subbaraman is an internationally-known conductor who has worked with orchestras in France, Germany, India and England. He has been the artistic director of Skylight since 2012 and prior to arriving in Milwaukee was the artistic director and founder of an opera company in Houston, called Opera Vista.
He is leaving “to focus on his conducting career and commitment to new opera works,” a statement released by Skylight read.
“Skylight is the only theater I know that can bring audiences such a diverse range of programming, and it has been exhilarating to be part of it,” Subbaraman said in the statement. “In each of the past three seasons, I was honored to have been able to share with audiences exciting stories focused on themes of revolution, fairy tales, and women’s journeys. It has been a privilege to work with the extraordinary artists and staff at Skylight and to be part of Milwaukee’s vibrant arts community.”
Subbaraman will continue working with Skylight as an advisor through January 2017.
“We appreciate the vitality and bold vision that Viswa brought to Skylight these last three seasons,” said Alec Fraser, president of Skylight Music Theatre’s Board of Directors. “With his reputation as an internationally acclaimed conductor, particularly for contemporary new works, we understand that this is a logical progression in his career. We wish him the best and know that he will be successful. We also look forward to having Viswa return to conduct at Skylight next season and beyond.”
A national search for a new artistic director will begin later this year, Fraser said. Associate Artistic Director Ray Jivoff will serve as interim director until a permanent replacement is found.
