L.A. Opera Names Domingo Hindoyan as Next Music Director

The next music director of the Los Angeles Opera will be Armenian-Venezuelan Domingo Hindoyan, the institution announced May 30 in a statement.

Hindoyan, currently serving as chief conductor of the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, will step into the role on July 1 next year, succeeding James Conlon, who will become the opera’s first-ever music director laureate after leading L.A. Opera for two decades.

“I am deeply honored to join L.A. Opera as its next music sirector,” said Hindoyan in the press release. “From the first rehearsal, I felt a strong connection to the extraordinary musicians, staff and spirit of this company. It is a privilege to follow Maestro James Conlon, whose legacy has shaped L.A. Opera into what it is today — a dynamic and ambitious institution.”

Hindoyan made his debut with L.A. Opera conducting Gounod’s Roméo et Juliette in November. “I first encountered Domingo Hindoyan at the Berlin State Opera in 2016 and was immediately struck by the fluidity of his technique and the clarity and command of his musical ideas,” noted Christopher Koelsch, L.A. Opera’s president and CEO, in a statement. “Since then, I’ve watched with admiration as his career has flourished across many of Europe’s great opera houses.”

Koelsch continued, “Our search process was both thorough and inclusive, engaging board members, civic leaders and representatives from our orchestra. We considered dozens of exceptional candidates from around the world — but Domingo emerged as the clear choice. In our conversations and through his artistry, it became evident that he brings not only exceptional musical and symphonic fluency, but also a disarming warmth and charisma that draws others into his creative orbit.”

Conlon, who has served as music director since 2006, shouted out Hindoyan’s appointment and remarked that the two will work closely to ensure a smooth transition. “Domingo is an artist of exceptional depth and imagination, and I know the company will welcome him warmly,” said Conlon in a statement. “I’m confident this new partnership will be both successful and fruitful. We will be working together closely at the beginning, and I am confident that we will assure a smooth transition.”

Born in Caracas, Hindoyan has conducted at some of the world’s most prestigious institutions, including the Vienna State Opera and the Metropolitan Opera. He previously served as principal guest conductor of the Polish National Radio Symphony Orchestra, has conducted operatic productions at the Metropolitan Opera, Lyric Opera of Chicago, the Berlin State Opera, Vienna State Opera, Paris Opera, Royal Swedish Opera, Dresden Semperoper, Teatro Real in Madrid and the Gran Teatre del Liceu in Barcelona.

Hindoyan has also released several albums, including this year’s Tchaikovsky: Souvenir de Florence & Symphony No. 6 ‘Pathetique,’ 2024’s Venezuela! Music From the Americas and 2023’s Verismo, all with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra.