Birmingham Opera Company Appoints Seb Lovell-Huckle as General Manager

Birmingham Opera Company is delighted to announce the appointment of Seb Lovell-Huckle as its new General Manager.

Seb Lovell-Huckle joins Birmingham Opera Company on its mission to reimagine what opera can be and to make opera accessible and available - bold, immersive, and rooted in the people and places of Birmingham and beyond. A seasoned leader in the UK's classical music sector, Seb brings with him a wealth of experience in organisational leadership, strategic development, and digital transformation.

Seb previously served as Chief Executive of the English Symphony Orchestra, Executive Director of Birmingham Contemporary Music Group and has held roles at the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra and City of London Sinfonia. He is a passionate advocate for initiatives that combine artistic excellence with social engagement, playing cello in and organising community orchestras in his spare time.

Commenting on his appointment, Seb said:

"Birmingham Opera Company has always stood for radical inclusion and artistic bravery. As an adopted Brummie, I've made my home in Birmingham, and have experienced the power of Birmingham Opera's productions as an audience member - I'm honoured to join this extraordinary team and build on its legacy."

Birmingham Opera Company's General Director, Richard Willacy, welcomed Seb to the role:

"Seb will bring to bear his significant experience in the professional, charitable and voluntary Music sectors of Birmingham and the wider West Midlands. He'll hit the ground running delivering our new version of Judith Weir's woman.life.song this August with Creative Producer Diandra McCalla and our broader family of freelancers, volunteers and partner organisations. "

As General Manager, Seb will oversee the day-to-day running of the company, working closely with the General Director, Creative Producer, Music Director and Board to deliver the next generation of internationally ground-breaking productions, support emerging talent through initiatives like Brum Commissions and Sandwell Creates and deepen the Company's relationships with the peoples of Birmingham and the West Midlands.

About Birmingham Opera Company

Founded by the late Graham Vick, Birmingham Opera Company is internationally acclaimed for its innovative, site-specific productions that place everyday Brummies at the heart of the action. With an army of local volunteers and a commitment to bold storytelling, Birmingham Opera Company is redefining opera. Under the leadership of Richard Willacy, the company has sought to open up greater opportunities for international and emerging artists, volunteers and audiences including hosting the European Opera Directing Prize, commissioning nine new short operas, launching a new co-creation strand with additional support from Arts Council England and landmark productions from Two Widows in the Czech Republic to Michael Tippett's New Year in a Big Top in central Birmingham.