James Gaffigan Extends Contract with Komische Oper Berlin
By Francisco Salazar(Credit: Jan Windszus)
General Music Director James Gaffigan has extended his contract with the Komische Oper Berlin.
The conductor will continue with the opera company for an additional three years, continuing through Summer 2030.
Gaffigan was appointed as General Music Director during the 2023-24 season and recently conducted new productions of “Salome,” “Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk,” and the joint Mahler 8 project “Tausend in Tempelhof.”
Gaffigan said, “My decision to extend my contract with the Komische Oper Berlin for three more years is grounded in my conviction that it is among the most vital opera companies in the world today. Its combination of progressive productions, courageous programming, and a genuinely welcoming environment remains a profound source of inspiration for me. I am incredibly proud of the orchestra’s development; there is a palpable ‘buzz’ surrounding our work right now. Whether we are performing in the Schillertheater, Neukölln, or the Hangar, we offer audiences experiences that are distinctive, immediate, and deeply moving. In these uncertain times, the culture we create together provides an essential space for reflection and connection. As I begin a new chapter with Houston Grand Opera, it remains a priority to sustain my close relationship with the Komische Oper Berlin. Though the two houses are very different, they are united by shared artistic values and an uncompromising commitment to excellence.”
Senator for Culture and Social Cohesion for the State of Berlin, Sarah Wedl-Wilson, said, “Berlin deserves the best minds. With James Gaffigan, the Komische Oper Berlin definitely has one of them. James Gaffigan is a world-class conductor who continues to go from strength to strength as his career progresses. Keeping him here with us and securing his commitment to our city for another three years—now until 2030—was my top priority.”
Gaffigan was recently named Music Director of Houston Grand Opera and is serving as Music Director of the Verbier Festival Junior Orchestra.
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