Los Angeles Opera has announced that it will extend the contract of Music Director James Conlon until the 2024-25 season.

Conlon took over the role in 2006 and has led more than 400 performances with the company in 62 different operas we well as two world premieres and 29 company premieres.

“I am extremely happy to continue my collaboration with all of the forces of LA Opera,” said Conlon in a press release. “I am grateful for my close working relationship with the LA Opera Orchestra and Chorus, the music staff and stage team, Christopher Koelsch, the entire administration and the board of directors. Their support, and that of our public, gives me great hope for our continued mission of keeping opera thriving in today’s world. I am especially appreciative of Grant Gershon’s great contribution to the company over the past 14 years. He has stood for the highest levels of artistic excellence, and I will miss him very much, both on a professional and personal level. Finally, with great pleasure, I would like to welcome Lina González-Granados to our artistic team. Amongst the many talented young conductors in today’s world, she stood out as particularly well suited, not just for LA Opera, but for our city and region. I look forward to our mutual collaboration with great anticipation.”

Additionally, the company announced that Colombian-American conductor Lina González-Granados is set to succeed Grant Gershon as Resident Conductor. Gershon held the position since 2012 and has deduced to step down from the position so that he devote more time to the Los Angeles Master Chorale.

González-Granados’s appointment lasts until 2024-25 and will see her conduct one mainstage production annually as well as additional performances on the company’s “Off Grand,” “On Now,” and “Connects” stages.

“It is my honor and pleasure to join the team at LA Opera,” González-Granados said in a press release. “I feel so fortunate to become part of an organization with an incredible institutional legacy for artistic quality and community engagement, and to belong to a city that welcomes such an esteemed roster of conductors. I am especially thrilled to collaborate with James and the extraordinary musicians of the LA Opera Orchestra. I am so looking forward to bringing opera to the greater Los Angeles community, as well as helping to build the next generation of incredible, talented young opera singers.”