"We are so fortunate to have someone of Allan's skill and creativity to lead Madison Opera into the future," said Madison Opera board of trustees president Karen Walsh, who chaired the search committee. "He is well known in the opera world and recognized as a person with a tremendous amount of talent."

Naplan told Madison's Capital Times that he planned to expand the company's season from two productions to three productions a year.

Trained as a singer, Naplan sang with Cincinnati Opera, Santa Fe Opera, and other companies before becoming an administrator. He has served on the staffs of the Houston Grand Opera, Neubert Ballet of New York, and the Richard Tucker Music Foundation. He is also a composer.

Madison Opera was founded in 1961. In October, the company presented David Hockney's production of Turandot; later this month, it gives the Midwest premiere of Jake Heggie's The End of the Affair.