LOS ANGELES — That was fast. Gustavo Dudamel announced Thursday morning that he will step down as music director of Paris Opera in July, at the end of his second season — four years before his contract was to expire.
Dudamel had been expected to stay at Paris at least through the 2026-27 season, which also coincides with what will be his first season as music director of the New York Philharmonic. The news of that appointment was announced in February.
In the meantime, though, the sudden departure from Paris will not likely have an effect on Dudamel's position as music and artistic director of the Los Angeles Philharmonic for his remaining three seasons here, and he is in town presently to conduct the orchestra in this season's last two weeks of concerts. He also remains music director of Simón Bolívar Orchestra of Venezuela, which will bring him to the Edinburgh International Festival this summer.
