Gustavo Dudamel announced Thursday that he is stepping down as music director of the Paris Opera, a surprise decision in the second season of a six-year deal scheduled until the 2026-27 season.
Dudamel, a 42-year-old Venezuelan living in Madrid, was hired by the New York Philharmonic in February as music director for the 2026-27 season. He has been Music Director of the Los Angeles Philharmonic since 2009, but that term will end after 17 seasons with Dudamel moving to New York.
“It is with a heavy heart that I announce my resignation as music director of the Paris Opera in order to spend more time with my family,” Dudamel said in a statement Thursday.
An early retirement from Paris in August after this season could free the conductor for further duties in New York, and Jaap van Zweden will be appointed music director for the sixth time in 2023. -24 to retire after the end of the season.
“I have no plans other than to be with my loved ones. I owe them all for helping me grow and maintain my determination to continue to challenge myself personally and artistically every day.” I am deeply grateful,” Dudamel said. .
Dudamel conducted the New York Philharmonic Orchestra for the first time since his appointment last weekend, conducting three performances of Mahler’s Ninth Symphony, but has no plans to do so next season. He and Philharmonic CEO Deborah Borda attended an extensive planning meeting last week.
“He has been very careful about his life over the last few years. , found just the right balance,” Borda said in a phone interview. “It’s just an important move on the chessboard of his life as he thinks about his future.”
Gustavo Dudamel attends the 27th Music and Arts of the New York Philharmonic at the newly renovated David Geffen Hall at the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, New York, Monday, February 20, 2023. Introduced as a director. On Friday, May 19, 2023, Dudamel and the New York Philharmonic received a seven-minute standing ovation after performing with an orchestra for the first time since agreeing to become music directors.Credit: AP/John Minchillo
Dudamel made his debut at the Paris Opera in December 2016 with Klaus Guth’s production of Puccini’s La Bohème, which was transferred to a spaceship, with the Paris Opera appointment announced in April 2021. It was announced that it will open on August 1, 2018.
In the first season he directed new productions of Puccini’s Turandot and Mozart’s The Marriage of Figaro, followed by a revival of Wagner’s Tristan and Isolde and John Adams’ Nixon. Made his theater debut. In the 2023-24 season announced in March, Dudamel will direct a new production of Wagner’s “Lohengrin” from September 23, and Thomas Adès’ “Angel of Extermination” will be performed from February 9.
The status of the contract with the company for next season has not been disclosed.
After being appointed General Director of the Paris Opera in July 2019, Alexander Neef had hired Dudamel to replace Stephan Lissner for the 2021-22 season. Neef praised Dudamel for his “passion and immense talent”.
“He was able to develop a special relationship with the musicians of the orchestra, the artists of the choir, the singers and the artistic team, a relationship characterized by mutual respect and a desire to create together the most beautiful performances. said Neef. statement. “Gustavo Dudamel is a great musician.
Dudamel’s short tenure is unusual in the world of opera, where schedules are often set five years in advance. His predecessors as Paris Music Director were Philippe Jordan (2009-21) and James Conlon (1994-2004).