Photo Credit: Opera Lafayette

Opera Lafayette announced its Founder and Artistic Director Ryan Brown will step down from the position in 2025. With this announcement, Patrick Dupre Quigley has been named Artistic Director Designate.

Quigley’s new role has taken effect. Moving forward, he will work closely with Brown for the next two seasons, along with the musicians, audience, staff, and board, to ensure the continuation of the standards set by Brown and Opera Lafayette.

Last season, Quigley was the Guest Conductor for the Pergolesi production. During Opera Lafayette’s 30th season, Quigley will conduct Edmond Dede’s Morgain, ou, “Le Sultan d’Isphahan” in collaboration with Opera Creole – following this production, Quigley will assume full Artistic Directorship on July 1, 2025.

Brown says in a press release, “Opera Lafayette fills a unique place in America’s musical life, and Quigley brings all the qualities that can broaden the importance and significance of our work. He is an outstanding musician and conductor with an entrepreneurial spirit. Moreover, he is a caring human being who understands the nature of arts organizations and the crucial role they play in enriching the lives of artists, audience, and the public at large. I look forward to working with Patrick over the next two years and eagerly await the wonderful experiences he will bring us in the future.”

Ryan Brown founded Opera Lafayette in 1995 as The Violins of Lafayette. The company was part of a period instrument renaissance movement. In 2001, the company was reincorporated as Opera Lafayette and went on to achieve international fame when the organization was invited to perform at Opera Royal in Versailles, France, closing with five sold-out performances.