Willy Decker

Career Trajectory

Decker emerged in the 1980s as a radical voice in German opera direction, bringing theatrical rigor and psychological depth to canonical works. His La traviata at Salzburg Festival became a landmark production, establishing him as a major international figure whose minimalist aesthetic and emotional intelligence have influenced a generation of opera directors. He remains one of the most sought-after directors at the world's leading opera houses, consistently delivering interpretations of intellectual and emotional power.