Houston Grand Opera (HGO) has announced the appointment of American conductor James Gaffigan as the company’s fifth Music Director in its 70-year history. The position is the first titled role with an American institution for Gaffigan, who is in demand at opera companies and symphony orchestras across the world. In his new capacity, Gaffigan will lead the company alongside General Director and CEO Khori Dastoor. His responsibilities will include collaborating with the musicians of the HGO Orchestra, working alongside Dastoor to direct programming and casting, nurturing the next generation of distinguished musicians, and carrying forward the company’s vision for the American operatic repertoire.
A Strategic Return to Houston
The appointment marks a return to the city for Gaffigan, who is originally from New York. He earned his master’s degree from the Shepherd School of Music at Rice University. His American operatic debut was also his debut with HGO, when he conducted the company’s production of The Marriage of Figaro. He recently returned to lead the first-ever performance by the HGO Orchestra at the annual Eleanor McCollum Competition for Young Singers Concert of Arias.
Khori Dastoor, HGO’s General Director and CEO, stated the appointment represents the “fulfillment of an ambitious dream”. Dastoor noted that Houston audiences have witnessed his “passion, electric energy, and mind-blowing artistry at the podium”. She referred to Gaffigan as “today’s leading American conductor—who embodies a new generation of music-making at the highest level” and highlighted his decision to “invest fully in this company”. “His return is both a testament to our city and a reflection of HGO’s ascendance as a force in the global opera industry,” Dastoor added.
Gaffigan stated, “I always knew that the first post I would take in the United States as Music Director had to be the perfect fit”. He continued, “As I considered which institution, which city, and which community aligned with my dreams and goals for an American institution, I found HGO to be my ideal partner”. In his statement, Gaffigan called HGO “the most exciting opera company in the United States” and a “healthy institution, with tremendous potential, and a solid foundation on which to build”. Referencing his studies in the city under Larry Rachleff, Gaffigan noted, “Having spent my formative years as a young conductor in Houston… I have been in admiration of the company since my early twenties”.
The Conductor and the Institution
HGO launched an international search for its next Music Director after Patrick Summers, the company’s longtime Artistic and Music Director, announced he would be stepping down from his role. Upon the transition, Summers will assume the position of HGO’s Music Director Emeritus and holder of the Robert and Jane Cizik Music Director Emeritus Chair.
Gaffigan was selected from a “global field of candidates”. The company stated he “stood out not only for his virtuosity at the podium, but also for his collaborative ethos, passion for developing young talent, imaginative approach to programming, and vision for reaching and diversifying audiences for opera and classical music”.
Gaffigan is currently the General Music Director of Komische Oper Berlin and also serves as Music Director of the Verbier Festival Junior Orchestra. His previous titles include Music Director of the Palau de les Arts Reina Sofía in Valencia, Chief Conductor of the Luzerner Sinfonieorchester, and Principal Guest Conductor of both the Netherlands Radio Philharmonic Orchestra and the Trondheim Symphony Orchestra & Opera.
He has conducted for many of the world’s leading opera houses, including the Metropolitan Opera, Bayerische Staatsoper, Opéra National de Paris, Zürich Opera, Vienna Staatsoper, and Lyric Opera of Chicago. He also prioritizes maintaining an equal balance as a symphonic conductor, regularly leading top orchestras in the U.S. and Europe. A graduate of the New England Conservatory, he studied conducting at Rice University’s Shepherd School of Music.
Houston Grand Opera is described as one of the largest, most innovative, and most highly acclaimed opera companies in the United States. HGO has led the field in commissioning and producing new works (76 world premieres to date). HGO has toured extensively and has won a Tony, two Grammy awards, and three Emmy awards. It is the only opera company to win all three honors.
Chronology and Context
The appointment was announced by Houston Grand Opera on November 6, 2025. The international search for the new director was launched in the fall of 2024. Gaffigan is currently in Houston to conduct HGO’s production of the Gershwins’ Porgy and Bess for a run of performances that continues through November 9, 2025.
Patrick Summers announced he would be stepping down from his role at the end of the 2025-26 season. Beginning his term as Music Director Designate in the 2026-27 season, Gaffigan will assume the role of Music Director in the 2027-28 season. His initial contract will last for five seasons, through 2031-32. Summers will assume his new position as HGO’s Music Director Emeritus in the 2026-27 season.
Gaffigan follows previous HGO Music Directors Charles Rosekrans (1971-75), John DeMain (1979-94), Vjekoslav Sutej (1994-97), and Summers (1998-2026). Regarding his other professional milestones, he has served as General Music Director of Komische Oper Berlin since 2023. He completed his final season as Music Director of the Palau de les Arts Reina Sofía in Valencia in August 2025. His HGO debut was in 2011.
In other company news, HGO is the only American finalist for Opera Company of the Year in the 2025 International Opera Awards. The company also launched the Houston Grand Opera record label in 2025. Khori Dastoor assumed leadership as General Director and CEO in 2021.
