Benjamin Pionnier
Following the resignation of Jean-Yves Ossonce, the mayor of the French city Tours appointed conductor Benjamin Pionnier, 38, as head of the Grand Théâtre and the Orchestra of the Region Centre-Val de Loire. Benjamin Pionnier was Artistic Advisor for the Opéra de Nice from 2006 to 2010, then Artistic Director and General Music Director of the National Slovene Opera in Maribor, until 2013.
Jean-Yves Ossonce announced his resignation in September after getting the impression that the City of Tours wanted to set new directions. He had come to the conclusion that he should resign, stressing that nobody asked to leave. He has worked in Tours for 20 years.
