American conductor James Gaffigan will begin his tenure with Houston Grand Opera for the 2026-2027 season.
Houston’s premier opera company, Houston Grand Opera, welcomes a new creative leader in conductor James Gaffigan, who will step into the role of music director after the departure of longtime Artistic and Music Director Patrick Summers after the 2025-2026 season.
Gaffigan has many ties to Houston — he received his master’s degree from Rice University and has visited for a number of guest conducting jobs with the Houston Symphony and Houston Grand Opera (HGO). He is currently leading this year’s HGO production of Porgy & Bess.
Reflecting on his first experiences in the city, Gaffigan says Houston made quite the impression:
“I fell in love with Houston back when I was 21 years old … it was so different to anything I’d ever experienced in the United States,” he said.
Alana Campbell
James Gaffigan leads the Houston Grand Opera Orchestra in a rehearsal for the 2025 production of Porgy & Bess.
He also highlights the community’s support for the arts and organizations like Houston Grand Opera as a major factor in his decision to take the job.
“When I looked at all the healthy institutions in America, the one that stood out to me was HGO,” he said. “Of all the opera houses, it has the most extraordinary financial health, and the tradition of philanthropy in this city is second to none.”
In his role as music director, he will work closely with General Director Khori Dastoor to design each season of shows. Dastoor says Gaffigan is the exact person the opera company needs at this point in its history.
“He’s a catalyst for growth, he is energetic, his vision is ambitious, and it matches the moment,” Dastoor said.
Gaffigan has most recently held posts as the general music director of Komische Oper Berlin and music director of the Palau de les Arts Reina Sofía in Valencia, Spain. This will be his first time leading an American arts organization.
He will assume the role of music director designate in HGO’s 2026-2027 season and officially begin his tenure as music director for 2027-2028.
You can hear more from Gaffigan and Dastoor talking with Houston Public Media‘s Joshua Zinn in the audio below:
James Gaffigan, incoming HGO Music Director:
Khori Dastoor, HGO General Director: