LA Opera Taps Conlon's Successor

The LA Opera as appointed Domingo Hindoyan as music director—the third in the company’s history. His five-year contract is effective as of July 1, 2026. Hindoyan succeeds James Conlon, who becomes conductor laureate at the end of the 2025/26 season after 20 years. “We considered dozens of exceptional candidates from around the world,” said President and CEO Christopher Koelsch. “But Domingo emerged as the clear choice…. It became evident that he brings not only exceptional musical and symphonic fluency, but also a disarming warmth and charisma.”

The Venezuelan-Armenian conductor, a native of Caracas, made his company debut in November 2024 with Gounod's Roméo et Juliette. He will continue as chief conductor of the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, a position he has held since 2021. Previously, he was the principal guest conductor of the Polish National Radio Symphony Orchestra.

Among his opera credits are productions at the Metropolitan Opera, Lyric Opera of Chicago, Berlin State Opera, Vienna State Opera, Paris Opera, Madrid's Teatro Real, and Barcelona's Gran Teatre del Liceu. His guest appearances with orchestras include, among others, the BBC Symphony, Royal Philharmonic, Boston Symphony, Cleveland Orchestra, Minnesota Orchestra, and Los Angeles Philharmonic.

The announcement of Hindoyan’s appointment comes on the eve of LA Opera's 40^th anniversary season. Koelsch said he was excited about the future collaboration. “I know Domingo will build upon the extraordinary foundation James Conlon has laid over the past two decade.” Conlon also had warm words for his successor. “I am especially pleased to pass the reins to someone I know shares my passion for opera, and who sees it as the vital, relevant, spiritual force it has always been.”