Mexican conductor Iván López Reynoso has been appointed Principal Conductor of the Santa Fe Opera, beginning with the company’s 2027 season, which will also mark the theatre’s 70th anniversary.
López Reynoso announced the news in a post on Instagram, describing the appointment as “an immense pleasure” and recalling the strong connection he felt with the company from his first encounter with the theatre. He said that bond deepened further during the 2025 production of La bohème.
Founded in 1957, the Santa Fe Opera is widely regarded as one of the leading opera festivals in the United States. The company presents a summer season of five productions each year and has become internationally known for its distinctive open-air theatre, adventurous programming, and support for emerging artists.
López Reynoso first appeared at the Santa Fe Opera in 2022, conducting Il barbiere di Siviglia in what was also his United States debut. He is set to begin his tenure as Principal Conductor in 2027 with the same Rossini opera.
In his statement, López Reynoso said that joining the theatre’s artistic and administrative team was both “an honour” and “deeply exciting,” describing the company as “a benchmark of excellence” and “the most important opera festival on our continent.”
The conductor will continue to serve as Principal Conductor of The Atlanta Opera alongside his new position in Santa Fe.
Among López Reynoso’s upcoming engagements are a return to the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra, his debut at the Savonlinna Opera Festival conducting his first Nabucco, and a return to the Rossini Opera Festival for La scala di seta.
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