James Conlon has served as LA Opera ’s music director since 2006. Under his leadership, the company mounted its first Wagner Ring Cycle, a monumental four-opera masterpiece. Conlon has staged dozens of operas, from classics (Mozart’s The Magic Flute and Verdi’s Rigoletto) to new groundbreaking ones (Rhiannon Giddens and Michael Abels’ Omar, which won a Pulitzer Prize). This season will be his last with the company. Conlon tells KCRW that he wants to hand the baton to younger people — but will not retire, and instead continue guest conducting and pursue other activities that he’s put off. LA Opera’s 2025-2026 season includes West Side Story, La Boheme, The Magic Flute, and Falstaff. Conlon says he chose from composers who’ve been fundamental to both himself and every opera company — Wol

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