Gaffigan becomes boss in Huston
James Gaffigan, Music Director of the Verbier Festival Junior Orchestra and former Principal Conductor of the Lucerne Symphony Orchestra, becomes Music Director of the Houston Grand Opera.
Gaffigan will serve as Music Director Designate of Houston Grand Opera (HGO) in the 2026/27 season, then assume the role of Music Director in the 2027/28 season, with his contract running for five seasons through 2031/32. He will take over from Patrick Summers.
Gaffigan's previous positions include Music Director of the Palau de les Arts Reina Sofía in Valencia, Principal Guest Conductor of the Netherlands Radio Philharmonic Orchestra and the Trondheim Symphony Orchestra, Associate Conductor of the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra and Assistant Conductor of the Cleveland Orchestra. He regularly works with young musicians at the Juilliard School, the Aspen Music Festival and School, the Music Academy of the West and the Verbier Festival.
Huston Grand Opera is one of the largest opera companies in the United States. General Director and CEO Khori Dastoor assumed leadership of the organization and responsibility for its strategic direction in 2021. She has toured extensively and won a Tony, two Grammy Awards and three Emmy Awards. HGO is the only opera company to have won all three awards.
