Royal Opera House director to head Kennedy Center

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -- The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts has appointed the head of London's Royal Opera House, Michael Kaiser, as president of the prestigious Washington arts complex.

Kaiser, 47, is executive director of the Royal Opera House in Covent Garden, London, and was credited with turning that opera house around financially and overseeing its massive renovation.

"I am honored to be asked to take this leadership role and look forward to working with the artists, staff and trustees of the Kennedy Center to build the local, national and international contributions of this remarkable institution," said Kaiser in a statement announcing his appointment.

Kennedy Center chairman James Johnson welcomed Kaiser's appointment and said he would succeed current president Lawrence Wilker in February 2001.

"Michael is an internationally acclaimed arts manager with a true passion for the performing arts. He is ideally suited for the Kennedy Center," Johnson said.

Before joining the Royal Opera House, Kaiser was executive director of the American Ballet Theatre in New York. During his career, Kaiser was also head of the Alvin Ailey Dance Theatre Foundation, the world's largest modern dance organization, and general manager of the Kansas City Ballet of Missouri.

Kaiser represented the United States on a commission recommending arts funding policies to the new government in South Africa and has published three books on arts funding and other subjects.

National Symphony Orchestra music director Leonard Slatkin said he was thrilled Kaiser would be joining the Kennedy Center. "I believe Michael is just the person to take us down new paths," said Slatkin.

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