Ben Glassberg
British conductor Ben Glassberg, born in 1994, is leaving his post as Music Director of the Vienna Volksoper after just over a year. He succeeded Omer Meir Wellber, who left the position in Vienna also prematurely due to other commitments. The house announced the amicable separation on Tuesday
Glassberg had publicly declared in the spring that he was suffering from depression and was undergoing treatment, and resigned from conducting the premiere of Le Nozze di Figaro in May.
In a new statement the conductor said: « I have tried very hard to be open with my colleagues and friends about my current mental health challenges. Thankfully, I am making great progress and feel stronger every day. Stepping away from the Volksoper, as difficult as it is, will hopefully accelerate my recovery.”
Glassberg added, “It has been a privilege to be able to share in groundbreaking music as Music Director and before that as Principal Guest Conductor of the Volksoper Wien, and I have great respect for Lotte de Beer and the entire Volksoper team. I hope that everyone will allow me the space and time to maintain my progress and I am looking forward to working with the brilliant orchestras and houses that have been kind enough to have me as guest conductor. I’m really excited about my final year as Music Director in Rouen and returning, in the coming months, to working with Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra and the Deutsche Oper Berlin. As I said a few weeks ago, depression is a bastard. But I’m doing well, thanks to the amazing unconditional love of my family and friends – and the wonderful thing about returning to London is that I’ll be able to devote more time to my beautiful children. Thanks everyone for your kindness and support.”
