James Conlon in stepping down after 20 years.
He’s 73 and ready for a breather. He will leave on 2026.
Who’s next?
The market is heating up with LA Phil, SanFran Symphony, Chicago and others all looking for the next maestro.
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Huge congratulations to my friend and colleague Jim, for a remarkable tenure. Los Angeles is left better for his presence.
Huge shoes to fill!
Very sad news. Not just a very fine conductor, but also a lovely and loyal man.
I wasn’t aware that the San Francisco Symphony is looking for a new Music Director.
The news came out today: https://www.npr.org/2024/03/14/1238678686/san-francisco-symphony-music-director-esa-pekka-salonen-resigns
He’s been there 20 years? Felt like he just got there.
I’ve really enjoyed seeing him conduct the Baltimore Symphony the past couple seasons – some great Wagner and Zemlinsky.
I am absolutely devastated by the news. LAO may not be as wealthy as SFO, Houston or Chicago, but Conlon is in a class above their current MDs.
I highly doubt they will appoint someone or his stature and instead make a DEI appointment, marking race and gender as the most important criteria.
This reminds me that in the previous post about why nobody hires American conductors Mr. Conlon’s name was not mentioned in any of the comments, including those of your truly.
I enjoyed some of the concerts that I heard him lead; others less so. There are better conductors out there, but there are also plenty worse.
Congratulations and good luck in his next endeavors.
Conlon was the conductor for my first ever classical music concert 23 years ago. It still ranks in my Top 5. Perhaps he can come back to Tanglewood next season.
One of America’s greatest conductors who always does the hard work and who has the greatest artistic and personal integrity.
Conlon is short in stature but tall in artistic excellent. Plus he gives great lectures and writes erudite opera program notes. He will be missed.
I enjoyed his lecture before the LA Opera’s Gotterdammerung. Fun and insightful. As people started to peel off to probably the bathrooms, he said, “You don’t have to leave. The show can’t start without me.”
I remember him when he was the conductor who replaced Alain Lombard at the Miami Philharmonic back in the mid 1970s. Great conductor!
I remember Conlon guest conduct on one occasion at the L.A. Phil across the street. The piece was Mendelssohn’s Midsummer Nights Dream. The occasion — his wedding anniversary, giving special meaning to the wedding march.
It is so welcome to read universally laudatory comments about James Conlon. How often do you see that about ANY conductor? You reap as you sow.
Aside from seeing him conduct on numerous occasions, I have met him socially many times. Such a pleasant, interesting person.
It’s hard to believe that Maestro Conlon has been around as long as he has. Of course, LAO is only one position in his career and he’s young enough to be around for many years to come.
Thanks, Maestro!
He’s not young. He’s 74. He wants to devote the remainder of his life to education and to his ongoing “Recovered Voices” project.
Anyone is better than Conlon. Incompetent technically and I’m shocked he survived MeToo. Great news for LA Opera!