Michael Alber studied piano, conducting, and jazz in Stuttgart, Vienna, and Trossingen. Following his studies he worked first as a lieder accompanist and taught conducting and vocal coaching at various conservatories. Since 2001 he is director of the choir of the Staatsoper Stuttgart, having been promoted from vice director. With the choir of the Staatsoper Stuttgart he has rehearsed, among other works, Moses und Aron (Schönberg), Das Mädchen mit den Schwefelhölzern (Lachenmann), and Giuseppe und Sylvia (Hölsky). He has also had regular concerts and rehearsal with the SWR-Vokalensemble, the NDR choir, and the RIAS chamber choir. He has prepared choirs for performances of numerous contemporary works, such as Shir hashirim (Zender) and works by Scelsi, Riehm, Nono, Maderna, Birtwistle, and others. He has also conducted numerous premieres. This work has been documented by radio productions and a number of CDs. In 2006 Michael Alber conducted fremd at Forum Neues Musiktheater.