James Gaffigan appointed Music Director of Valencia’s Palau de Les Arts
James Gaffigan said: “The institution has always had high standards and with the artistic partnership of Jesús Iglesias Noriega, we can continue to build towards the future while preserving the past.” (Photo credit: Vera Hartman)
For Immediate Release
JAMES GAFFIGAN APPOINTED MUSIC DIRECTOR OF PALAU DE LES ARTS IN VALENCIA
VALÉNCIA (June 29, 2021) — Palau de les Arts Reina Sofía of Valencia announces the appointment of James Gaffigan as Music Director. The appointment commences from the 2021/22 season for four seasons. Gaffigan will conduct two opera productions and two symphonic programs each season. This position comes on top of his recent appointment as Principal Guest Conductor of the Trondheim Symphony Orchestra & Opera, his post as Music Director of the Verbier Festival Junior Orchestra starting in July 2021, and his continuing role as Principal Guest Conductor of the Netherlands Radio Philharmonic Orchestra.
Les Arts’ Artistic Director Jesús Iglesias Noriega said: “We are very happy that James Gaffigan has accepted our invitation to join Les Arts as Music Director. We first collaborated at Dutch National Opera for a production of Porgy and Bess and appreciated his qualities which gave me the trust to invite him to join the team at Palau de Les Arts. He is one of the leading conductors of his generation and will surely contribute to the development of the Orquestra de la Comunitat Valenciana.”
James Gaffigan said: “It is an honor and a privilege to take on the role of Music Director at Palau de les Arts, Reina Sofía. The institution has always had high standards and with the artistic partnership of Jesús Iglesias Noriega, we can continue to build towards the future while preserving the past. I’m in awe of the amount of talent within the institution. The orchestra is truly one of the best I have worked with and has the potential to be among the greatest in the world. I say that with no exaggeration.”
Gaffigan continues: “Although the orchestra is very diverse, we mustn’t forget the large number of incredible Musicians from Spain. This is something that all of Valenciana can celebrate and be proud of. Taking care of your own while welcoming other people into your great region. I believe the Palau de les Arts is a perfect example of this mindset. I look forward to preserving grand opera, exploring more diverse repertoire, great concerts in Valencia and it’s region, and trying to build an ever deeper relationship to the community. This building is not just a striking architectural marvel. It is a cultural meeting place, that welcomes everyone to enjoy Art and culture at the highest level. I’m happy and proud to be a part of it.”
In 2021/22, James Gaffigan will lead two major events at Les Arts: the acclaimed production of Mozart’s Requiem staged by Romeo Castellucci and Alban Berg’s Wozzeck.
About James Gaffigan
James Gaffigan conducts leading orchestras such as the London Philharmonic, London Symphony Orchestra, Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, Munich Philharmonic, Symphonieorchester des Bayerischen Rundfunks, Staatskapelle Dresden, Vienna Symphony, Tonhalle Orchester Zürich, Orchestre de Paris, Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra, New York Philharmonic, Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Philadelphia Orchestra, San Francisco Symphony and Los Angeles Philharmonic. Gaffigan is a regular at the Metropolitan Opera and Bayerische Staatsoper, plus Zürich Opera, Vienna Staatsoper, Paris Opera, Dutch National Opera, Glyndebourne Festival, Lyric Opera of Chicago and Santa Fe Opera.
About Palau de les Arts
Les Arts aims at being the great culmination of the artistic spirit, an emblematic and agglutinating project that combines the excellence of artistic expressions generated by the society of the Region of Valencia, Spain, a catalyst for talent and an attraction of international references.
