US opera chief steps down
OperaIt has been announced tonight that Patrick Summers will step down as Artistic and Music Director at Houston Grand Opera in the spring of 2026.
He has been in the post for 23 years.
He said: ‘Since David Gockley first spoke to me almost three decades ago about coming to HGO, when I was a shy and ambitious young conductor in my thirties, to this current moment of Khori Dastoor’s early tenure, during which I will bring my long service as music director to a close, I can only say that it has been the privilege of a lifetime to be a part of this extraordinary company. Houston Grand Opera is a blessed place, and I am enormously grateful for the long honor of leading our own treasured orchestra and making art with both our resident ensembles, who are our heart and soul, while guiding the artistic direction of this great company. That my tenure stretches from David to Khori will always mean the world to me. I thank everyone so deeply.’
Summers, 61, has also been principal guest conductor at San Francisco Opera, 1999–2016.
This is way overdue. The company has stagnated and declined under his leadership. His tenure at HGO is the very exemplification of the Peter Principle.
Does that perhaps portend a sojourn downunder? God knows it needs all the help it can get…
If you had the misfortune of having to follow this elementary school band teacher from the stage, you would have to wonder how in an ordered universe did he last even an entire season at HGO.
Shoulder shrug…
Wow I’m surprised he’s still in Houston? Even in San Francisco his conducting always struck me as ho-hum.
Summers who has built something significant in Houston, should have been considered as a Gelb replacement by the Metropolitan Opera Board. He’s 61, so there is still time to grab him. He gets it, Gelb never did.
Save the Met?