When ‘Aida’ closes on June 12, L.A. Opera tenor George Sterne will step down from his post after over 150 performances, more than any other chorus member in the company’s history. Sterne has been with the L.A. Opera since before there was an L.A. Opera. In the early years, L.A. Opera had no music director but rather a succession of guest conductors, until Kent Nagano was appointed principal conductor in 2001. He was replaced in 2006 by current music director James Conlon. On the “Tannhauser” program, L.A. Opera included a disclaimer about grappling with Wagner’s racist and antisemitic legacy.

Source: Los Angeles Times May 27, 2022 23:17 UTC