The Metropolitan Opera has announced that longtime Artistic Administrator Jonathan Friend will be stepping down from his position following the end of the 2019–20 season.

The company announced Michael Heaston, the former Executive Director of the Met’s Lindemann Young Artist Development Program will take over the position.

Heaston is currently at both Houston Grand Opera and Rice University and will be returning to the Met in July 2020 to replace Friend as the Artistic Administrator.

The company also announced that Friend is in discussions with the Met about an ongoing artistic role with the company.

In a press statement Peter Gelb stated, “Jonathan Friend has been at the forefront of the Met’s artistic efforts, playing an invaluable role in attracting the world’s greatest singers to our stage, helping to develop our repertory, and overseeing one of the most complex performance schedules in existence, and we thank him for his tremendous work over nearly four decades. With these big shoes to fill, I’m very pleased that Michael Heaston has agreed to return to the Met fold, bringing his considerable artistic and administrative skills to this important position.”

Friend began his career at the English National Opera and joined the Met in 1981. He was responsible for casting and planning the Met’s seasons and serves as judge at several international vocal competitions.