Biography

General and Artistic Director of The Atlanta Opera since 2013, Israeli-born Tomer Zvulun is also one of opera’s most exciting stage directors, earning consistent praise for his creative vision, often described as cinematic and fresh. His work has been presented by prestigious opera houses around the world, including The Metropolitan Opera, the opera companies of Israel, Buenos Aires, Los Angeles, Montrel, Wexford, Glimmerglass, Houston, Washington National Opera, Seattle, Dallas, Detroit, San Diego, Minnesota, Boston, Cleveland, Cincinnati, Pittsburgh, New Orleans and Wolf Trap, as well as leading educational institutes and universities such as The Julliard School, Indiana University, Boston University, and IVAI in Tel Aviv.

Since assuming leadership in Atlanta, Zvulun has personally directed more than thirty of the company’s productions and has fueled a transformative era. Hailed by The New York Times as “bringing opera back from the brink,” he has led the company’s rise into the top ten U.S. opera companies, celebrated for its bold programming, fiscal strength, and artistic vitality. His visionary leadership is the subject of a Harvard Business School case study, underscoring his influence on the future of the art form. He is also a recipient of the Governor’s Award for Arts and Humanities, recognizing his significant contributions to the cultural life of the state.

In 2023, Zvulun launched, Atlanta’s historic presentation of Wagner’s Ring cycle – the first ever staged in the Southeast and the first complete production mounted in the U.S. since the pandemic. The cycle will be completed in the summer of 2026 and further cements the company’s reputation for artistic ambition. He also created the Discoveries series and founded The Atlanta Opera Film Studio, expanding the company’s reach through immersive productions and cinematic operas streamed worldwide.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Zvulun reimagined performance models through innovative outdoor productions and digital programming that drew international attention and set a new standard for resilience in the arts. A champion for new works, he has commissioned and directed numerous world premieres, while also staging productions in Atlanta ranging from classics like La bohème and Salome to contemporary American operas.

His work at The Atlanta opera attracted international attention, earning numerous awards and honors, including the company’s nomination for the International Opera Awards in London and the selection of his production Silent Night as “Production of the Year” by both the Irish Times and the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. His focus on innovation led to an invitation to deliver a TED Talk, and his leadership is the subject of a case study taught at Havard Business School. His productions travel widely, bringing significant visibility to the company. His 2025 staging of Fiddler on the Roof has been particularly notable with over 45 collaborative performances. In recent seasons, his production of Rigoletto traveled to Los Angeles Opera, his La bohème returned to The Dallas Opera, and his acclaimed production of The (R)evolution of Steve Jobs made its Kennedy Center debut at the Washington National Opera.

Born and raised in Israel, Zvulun studied at the Open University in Tel Aviv, was a visiting scholar at Boston University Opera Institute, and is an alumnus of Harvard Business School. He is a member of Rotary Club of Atlanta and The Buckhead Coalition.