John Mangum Departs Houston Symphony for Lyric Opera of Chicago

He will step into the new role in Chicago from Fall 2024

John Mangum has resigned from his role as the Executive Director and CEO of the Houston Symphony and has accepted the role of General Director, President, and CEO of the Lyric Opera of Chicago, starting in the Fall of 2024.

During his tenure in Houston, Mangum has increased the orchestra's endowment by 50%, as well as securing major capital gifts to fund the renovation of Jones Hall, where the orchestra performs. In addition, he grew the orchestra's Education and Community Engagement program: its Student Concert Series is now the largest school program of all the major American orchestras.

Mangum also led the search for a new Music Director following the resignation of Andrés Orozco Estrada, and the orchestra successfully appointed Juraj Valčuha to this position.

One of America's most experienced performing arts executives, Mangum has previously worked with organizations including the San Francisco Symphony, New York Philharmonic, and the Los Angeles Philharmonic and its esteemed Hollywood Bowl.

"My tenure at the Houston Symphony has been the most professionally and personally fulfilling of my career so far," said Mangum. "Together, we brought the orchestra out of the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey and guided it through the pandemic, we have completed four of five summers of the Jones Hall renovation....and we secured a world-class Music Director in Juraj Valčuha."

"Financially, the Symphony is the strongest it has been in years. We have had balanced budgets or budget surpluses four of the last five seasons. Our Endowment is worth more than $100 million for the first time in its history, and our earned revenue has recovered to pre-pandemic levels and is trending more than 10% ahead year over year for the new season."

"On behalf of the Board, I am thrilled to welcome John Mangum to Lyric Opera of Chicago," said Sylvia Neil, Board Chair. "John’s very strong credentials as a CEO, as well as his artistic management background and music intellectualism, will bring vision, insight, and a fresh perspective to Lyric."

"At a time when so many arts organizations nationwide are exploring new ways to engage and expand their audiences and grow their donor base, John is a proven leader who understands the complexities of the classical performing arts industry and all that is required to showcase artistic pursuits in the contemporary environment while upholding the highest standards."