Colorado Music Festival will directed by Michael Christie

On Thursday the company has announced the Colorado Music Festival conductor and music director of Minnesota Opera will be directed by Michael Christie. Michael Christie, the music director of the Colorado Music Festival, will also direct the Minnesota Opera. He will be charged primarily with developing the company's orchestra, along with conducting the majority of each season's operas (typically three of five). His appointment begins with the 2012-2013 season.

Christie has been director of the Boulder-based CMF since 2000, and he will stay in that position. His contract was recently extended through 2017, and the program for his 12th season this summer will soon be announced. He has been music director of the Phoenix Symphony since 2005, and will leave that position in 2013.

Christie has been very active in the world of opera, particularly since 2009, when he directed a revival of John Corigliano's "The Ghosts of Versailles" with the Opera Theater of St. Louis. He conducted the same work at the Aspen Music Festival in 2010.

He has been particularly dedicated to presenting new and contemporary operatic repertoire, often working directly with composers. He will conduct the world premiere of Mark Adamo's "The Gospel of Mary Magdalene" at San Francisco Opera this year.