Kent Nagano, the company's music director designate, has agreed to serve as interim artistic director if a successor to Jonas has not been found when he retires on August 31, 2006. In addition, Jonas has agreed to "act in an honorary advisory capacity" during the transition.

The longtime general director of Dresden's Semper Oper, Albrecht was appointed in 2003 to succeed Jonas. Nagano was named the successor to music director Zubin Mehta at the same time.

Jonas, the former general director of English National Opera, has run the Bavarian State Opera since 1993.