WHITNEY READER

A native of Wichita, KS, Whitney Reader currently resides in Germany, where he has worked for the Dortmund Opera and the Deutsche Oper Am Rhein, Düsseldorf, as a conductor and pianist. He conducted last year’s season-opening Madama Butterfly as his conducting debut with the WGO. Other recent conducting credits include a new production of Cole Porter's Kiss Me, Kate; performances of Khatchaturian's Spartacus; Elgar's Julian Sorel, and Rossini's La Cenerentola. Mr. Reader made his debut in Switzerland conducting a new production of Stravinsky's Histoire Du Soldat for the Festival Septembre Musicale, Vevey, and for the Grande Theatre de Geneve. He first worked with the WGO as vocal coach and pianist for 2003’s production of Carmen. He has also served as conductor, coach, and pianist for Sarasota Opera, the Bellingham Festival of Music, and Opera Kansas.