Opera North announces leadership changes

Leeds-based arts organisation Opera North has announced two senior leadership appointments, with Patrick Lange named music director designate and Merran McRae appointed chair of its board of trustees.

Patrick will succeed Garry Walker when he steps down as music director at the end of his current term in August 2028.

An experienced international conductor, Patrick has worked with opera houses including the Vienna State Opera, Bavarian State Opera, Opéra National de Paris and Royal Opera House in London.

He made his Opera North debut conducting The Magic Flute in 2025 and will return this year for Rigoletto. 

As music director, he will conduct productions in Leeds and on tour, alongside symphonic concerts and supporting the organisation’s community and education work.

Patrick said: “It fills me with great joy and pride to have been appointed music director at Opera North. 

“I am deeply moved by the extraordinary spirit that prevails in the company – a spirit that unites all the fantastic people within it in the pursuit of creating beautiful, delightful and memorable emotional experiences. 

“Opera North are passionate about what they do; they truly love opera and their audience, and it is a privilege to be able to make my contribution to this.

“I am also incredibly excited about working with the wonderful chorus and orchestra, after taking them straight to my heart since my debut at Opera North last year. 

“Together we have big plans, and I can hardly wait to put them into action.”

Garry added: “It’s been a real privilege to have led the company musically for nearly a decade. 

“I know Opera North has a bright, stable and exciting future, and I look forward to pushing it to greater heights in my remaining two years; there are many exciting projects ahead.’

Meanwhile, Merran will succeed Paul Lee OBE as chair following Opera North’s September board meeting.

A former chief executive of Wakefield Council, she is chair of Leeds and York Partnership NHS Foundation Trust and deputy chair of Yorkshire Sculpture Park, with extensive experience across public, charitable and cultural organisations.

Merran added: “I am delighted to be appointed chair of Opera North. 

“I am passionate about the power of culture and creativity to enrich individual lives, strengthen communities and contribute to the identity and vitality of individual places, and Opera North embodies all this. 

“It is a privilege to have the opportunity to lead the board of an organisation with such a strong artistic reputation and with deep roots in the North combined with a wide reach across the UK and internationally.”

Patrick and Merran’s appointments come as Opera North continues to develop its leadership team and build on its cultural programme in Leeds and further afield.

Laura Canning, general director of Opera North, added: “It is wonderful to be able to share the news that Patrick Lange will be our new music director from Summer 2028. 

“The chorus and orchestra very much enjoyed working with him during The Magic Flute last year when it was clear that he shared our passion for musical and artistic excellence and our focus on creating amazing experiences for our audiences.

“His humanity, passion for music and theatre, and knowledge of singers and the international opera scene shine through in his hunger to make vital work which speaks to its community. 

“This makes him the perfect choice to take Opera North forward, building on Garry and his predecessors’ exceptional work. 

Laura added: “I am also thrilled to announce Merran’s appointment as chair. 

“Her impressive experience across a range of sectors will be an undoubted asset to the board and to the company as a whole. 

“This is a challenging time for creative organisations, but one in which Opera North’s artistic ambition is second to none and in which we continue to innovate, produce exciting work and introduce thousands of people every year to the highest quality live opera, music and performance. 

“It is wonderful to have both Merran and Patrick joining us as we embark on our next chapter.

“As we announce these appointments, I would like to thank both Garry and Paul for their unstinting dedication to Opera North during their time with us and wish them all the best in their future endeavours.”

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