Episode 167 James Gaffigan

James Gaffigan

American conductor James Gaffigan is recognized worldwide for his extraordinary collaborative spirit, and he has attracted international attention for his work as a conductor of symphony orchestras and opera.

James was recently named the next music director of Houston Grand Opera, and he will assume his new role in the 2027/28 season.

James is in demand at opera companies and symphony orchestras across the world. He serves as the general music director of Komische Oper Berlin, where he leads his third season in 2025/26. He also serves as music director of the Verbier Festival Junior Orchestra.

James Gaffigan has conducted for the Metropolitan Opera, Bayerische Staatsoper, Opéra National de Paris, Zürich Opera, Vienna Staatsoper, Deutsche Oper Berlin, Dutch National Opera, Glyndebourne Festival, Lyric Opera of Chicago, and Santa Fe Opera, among many others.

He regularly leads the world’s greatest orchestras, including the New York Philharmonic, Chicago Symphony Orchestra, San Francisco Symphony,Los Angeles Philharmonic, National Symphony Orchestra, Boston Symphony Orchestra, Cleveland Orchestra, Philadelphia

A champion of new music, James has led more than 30 premieres by composers including Thomas Adès, Kaija Saariaho, Anders Hillborg, Andrew Norman, Sarah Kirkland Snider, and Wynton Marsalis.