Gerard Mortier accepts Madrid opera post

Spain’s Teatro Real opera house said Wednesday that Belgian musician Gerard Mortier would take over as its artistic director in just over a year.

Mortier, 65, who currently runs the Paris Opera, will assume his new post in Madrid in January 2010, Teatro Real said.

Mortier had been due to take over as general manager and artistic director of the New York City Opera next season. But he pulled out early this month because the company failed to raise enough money to pay for his plans.