Mirageas has been advising the company since January as part of an interim planning team appointed after Muni announced that he would step down to concentrate on directing. An independent arts advisor since 1999, Mirageas has also worked with the Brooklyn Academy of Music, Milwaukee Symphony, and the WDR Symphony of Cologne, among other groups, and with conductors Semyon Bychkov, Roger Norrington, and Robert Spano.

Before becoming a consultant, Mirageas was an executive at Decca Records. He has worked as a radio producer and as artistic administrator of the Boston Symphony.

"I am consistently hearing from a wide range of industry leaders that Evans has impeccable taste in singers and conductors," said general director Patricia K. Beggs. "He has an encyclopedic knowledge of operatic repertoire as well as emerging and established artists.

"He also brings vast experience in balancing innovative programming with fiscal responsibility," she added, "and his passion for the art form is contagious."

Cincinnati Opera also promoted artistic administrator Marcus K‹chle to director of artistic opera, and said he would work closely with Mirageas.

Founded in 1920, Cincinnati Opera is the second-oldest opera company in the United States. It presents an annual summer season, which has taken place at the city's Music Hall since 1972. The current season includes Richard Danielpour's Margaret Garner, co-comissioned with Michigan Opera Theatre and the Opera Company of Philadelphia.