Gustavo Dudamel is one of the highest-paid and most famous orchestra conductors in the world, and he is known for his renewed vision that tries to attract the new generation of artists to the spotlight, and build a bridge of communication with audiences from multiple backgrounds, but today he suddenly leaves his position as musical director of the Paris Opera, for reasons he described as “Personal”.
Venezuelan maestro Gustavo Dudamel has submitted his resignation from his position as musical director of the Paris Opera, to leave his post at the end of the current season “to be close to his family,” according to what the French house announced Thursday, without indicating the name of his successor.
A statement by the house quoted Dudamel, who assumed his position in 2021 under a six-year contract, as saying: “With a heavy heart and after careful consideration, I announce my resignation from the position of musical director of the Paris Opera in order to spend more time with my family.”
The 42-year-old maestro, who has been married since February 2017 to Spanish actress Maria Valverde, added, “I have no other projects other than to be with my family.”
“There is no urgent need” to appoint Dudamel’s replacement, director general of the Opera Alexandre Neve told AFP, expressing “great” confidence in the Paris Opera Orchestra’s ability to “maintain the highest level during this period.”
He explained that he preferred to “take decisions after careful consideration,” stressing the need to find “the right person for this role,” who would be able to “take on the various tasks” that it entailed, “especially the administrative side.”
And Alexandre Neve considered that Dudamel’s resignation was due to “the balance between professional and personal life.” “We all asked ourselves this question after the pandemic,” he added.
While he regretted that Dudamel made this decision “two years after” his contract with the house and “his story with her stopped at this point,” he affirmed that he understood and respected “this personal decision.”
Dudamel is one of the highest-paid and best-known conductors in the world, and since 2009 has conducted the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra.
