Succeeding Alain Surrans, she will fully take on her duties as general and artistic director from January 2026.
Last January, Alain Surrans announced, after six years at the head of Angers Nantes Opéra, that he was preparing to retire. At the end of a recruitment procedure which notably included the drafting of a multi-year establishment project and the presentation of a three-year budget projection, the union committee of the lyric house has just selected the new boss of the premises: Alexandra The cross. Appointed general and artistic director from 1is September 2024, she will only fully occupy her functions from 1is January 2026 – date of departure of his predecessor.
Alexandra Lacroix founded the lyrical art company MPDA in 2007, “ a place for research and interdisciplinary creation in the field of musical theater and opera, comparing works from the repertoire with our contemporary issues “. With this structure, within which she serves as playwright, scenographer and artistic director, she has notably directed The Carmen Case by Diana Soh, for which she also signed the libretto, as well as a production of L’Adorable Belboul designed in collaboration with the composer Farnaz Modessifar based on a little-known score by Massenet. Alexandra Lacroix is also an associated artist at the Limoges Opera and godmother of the TalentLAB of the Théâtres de la ville de Luxembourg. Member of the ARVIVA network (Living Arts, Sustainable Arts), it carries out its activities taking into account environmental issues.
Multiple construction sites
For her five-year mandate (renewable for periods of three years), Alexandra Lacroix presented a project whose main axes are: combining major works from the repertoire and creations, designing a program “ of social utility […] so that this powerful art remains inspiring for our times », bring productions outside the walls to meet the inhabitants of working-class neighborhoods, include Angers Nantes Opéra in a European production and research network, and accelerate the ecological transition within the opera house. What about the “Lyric Theater of National Interest” agreement, which has been discussed for several years and which is currently being solicited according to the latest news? The projects promise to be numerous.
