Les Arts announces that James Gaffigan will end his tenure as music director after the conclusion of the 2024-2025 season.
19.12.2024
- It has been a fundamental pillar for the expansion of the repertoire and the consolidation of the staff of the Orquestra de la Comunitat Valenciana
- James Gaffigan will return to Les Arts in the 2025-2026 Season to conduct a staged opera.
Valencia (18.12.24). The Palau de les Arts Reina Sofía announces that James Gaffigan will conclude his tenure as music director of the institution after the 2024-2025 Season, on August 31, 2025, the date on which his four-year contract expires.
Since his arrival in September 2021, the American maestro has been a key figure in the artistic growth of Les Arts, thanks to his work in expanding the repertoire and his commitment to the development and strengthening of the Orquestra de la Comunitat Valenciana (OCV).
One of the top priorities of Les Arts' new artistic phase, which began in 2019, has been the consolidation and expansion of the OCV. Under the direction of James Gaffigan, the orchestra has grown from 54 to 76 musicians, achieving remarkable growth and enrichment of its roster.
James Gaffigan has also starred in important moments in the recent history of Les Arts, such as the premiere of Mozart's 'Requiem' staged by Romeo Castellucci, the first performance in Valencia of 'Wozzeck', the returns of Wagnerian opera with 'Tristan und Isolde' or of the Russian repertoire with 'The Queen of Spades', as well as the brilliant 'Die Zauberflöte' which closed the last season.
In the symphonic section, his versions of Dvořák's 'New World Symphony', Mahler's 'Resurrection' Symphony, Prokofiev's 'Romeo and Juliet' and Bruckner's 'Ninth' Symphony stand out.
James Gaffigan himself recalled: “When Jesús Iglesias Noriega contacted me to be part of his ambitious project for Les Arts and the Orquestra de la Comunitat Valenciana, I accepted without hesitation as soon as I met the group.
We have worked intensely over these years, incorporating 22 new musicians, and today I can say that the orchestra is going through an excellent period, something recognized and enthusiastically appreciated by our beloved audience, which has continued to grow year after year. I am very proud of what we have achieved and ready to dedicate my time to new projects.
Valencia will always hold a special place in my heart. I leave with the conviction that I am leaving Les Arts and its orchestra in an exceptional position for my successor to continue this upward trajectory.”
For his part, Jesús Iglesias Noriega, artistic director of Les Arts, also thanked James Gaffigan for his involvement in one of the main objectives of this new stage of Les Arts: opening up to new audiences and connecting with the Valencian territory.
“In addition to his outstanding artistic work, James Gaffigan has been a key ally in the dissemination and development of local initiatives at Les Arts.
His presence at morning sessions and previews for young people, as well as his role as an ambassador for the OCV, has been crucial. He has conducted 16 concerts in different locations across the three provinces of the Valencian Community, and has been instrumental in the orchestra's return to the summer festival circuit.
James Gaffigan will return to Valencia next season to direct one of the productions that will be performed in the Main Hall.
