Bio
Known both for his bold and inventive productions and for his acute musical instincts, Chas Rader-Shieber has established himself as one of the most innovative opera directors of his generation. Reviewing his staging of Janáček’s The Cunning Little Vixen Toronto’s Classical 96.3 FM praised Mr. Rader-Shieber’s “daring and visionary approach to staging” and declared him “a force to be reckoned with in the opera world.” In the 2021-2022 season, Mr. Rader-Shieber continues his close collaboration with the Curtis Institute of Music, directing Dangerous Liasons, and returns to Des Moines Metro Opera for Britten’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Recent work includes a new production of Rameau’s Platée at Des Moines Metro Opera, Shining Brow at Arizona Opera, and a return to Curtis Institute of Music to direct their productions of The Barber of Seville. Other past season highlights include Hasse’s Artaserse and Monteverdi’s Il ritorno d’Ulisse in patria with Pinchgut Opera, La finta giardiniera Portland Opera, Ariadne auf Naxos with Kentucky Opera, Rusalka with Des Moines Metro Opera. Gluck’s Orfeo with Portland Opera, La traviata with Pittsburgh Opera, and Capriccio with the Curtis Insitute of Music. Mr. Rader-Shieber has also become well known for his interpretations of Mozart operas. Among others, he has directed Die Zauberflöte, Don Giovanni and Cosi fan tutte at companies including Opera Pacific, Opera de Montreal, Santa Fe Opera, and the Juilliard Opera Center.