The head of Geneva's Higher School of Dramatic Art, Claude Stratz, has been appointed director of the National Conservatory of Dramatic Art in Paris. It's only the second time in 30 years that a Swiss has been given a top position in a leading French cultural institution.

The French culture minister, Catherine Tasca, said Stratz would take up his position on September 1 and lead the conservatory for the next three years.

Stratz is filling the shoes of the French comedian, Marcel Bozonnet, who left the conservatory after two years as director to head up the Comédie-Francaise.

The Zurich-born Stratz studied psychology at Geneva University, and then trained in dramatic art and interpretation at Geneva's Higher School of Dramatic Art. He became the school's director in 1999.

As a director, Stratz oversaw the staging of more than 20 productions, including a number at the Comédie de Genève, the Carouge Theatre, the National Theatre of Strasbourg and the Comédie-Francaise.

A fellow native of Zurich, Rolf Lieberman, was the director of the Paris Opera house from 1973 until 1980.

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