Madrid  - Spanish media Thursday hailed the appointment of Belgian Gerard Mortier as the artistic director of Madrid's Teatro Real opera, expecting him to raise its profile.

Mortier, 65, who currently heads the Paris National Opera, will occupy the post in Madrid from January 2010 for five years.

Described as an "authentic intellectual" and "agitator of consciences" by the daily El Pais, Mortier was expected to develop ambitious projects at the Teatro Real, which has tried to raise its international ranking to the top level for several years.

Mortier had initially been due to run the New York City Opera, but the company failed to provide him with what he regarded as a sufficient budget.

Teatro Real had also been in talks with La Scala director Stephane Lissner, but he decided to stay on in Milan.

Mortier wanted to have a team of rotating orchestra directors, reports said.

Mortier will replace artistic director Antonio Moral and musical director Jesus Lopez Cobos after their contracts expire at the Teatro Real. (dpa)