The initial term of Conlon's contract was for three years, from July 2006 through June 2009. This extension will enable him to see through L.A. Opera's first Wagner Ring, which culminates in three performances of the complete cycle in the summer of 2010, as well as a production of Tristan und Isolde designed by artist David Hockney next year.
Before coming to Los Angeles, Conlon was for ten years chief conductor of the Paris Opera and, before that, Generalmusikdirektor of the city of Cologne, including its orchestra and opera house. In 2005 he became music director of the Ravinia Festival (succeeding Christoph Eschenbach), and he has been music director of the Cincinnati May Festival (where he succeeded James Levine) since 1979.
