Opera San José has announced that after 36 years, Larry Hancock will retire as general director on June 30, 2020.

The company announced that although he is retiring Hancock will be part of the company’s advisory position. With the announcement, the company also stated that the Board of Directors have selected Khori Dastoor as Opera San José’s next general director; she will take over leadership of the company on July 1, 2020.

In a press release the company noted that Dastoor has been affiliated with Opera San José since joining their resident ensemble of principal artists in 2007 as a leading soprano. She was acting artistic administrator under company founder Irene Dalis, prior to Hancock’s appointment as general director in 2014.

Hancock also worked closely with Dastoor as artistic planning director, charged principally with singer auditions and casting. Along with Music Director Joseph Marcheso, Dastoor, and Hancock have been drivers of artistic standards for Opera San José and have worked together in bringing a new level of talent to Opera San José.

After retirement Hancock plans to remain active as an Opera San José supporter and volunteer, continuing his acclaimed pre-performance talks for all main-stage productions.