Gordon Gerrard is Manitoba Opera’s new artistic director. (C. GRAHAM PHOTO)
Manitoba Opera has appointed Gordon Gerrard, a Manitoba-born conductor, pianist and educator, as its new artistic director.
Gerrard begins a five-year contract with the company on September 1. Gerrad most recently served as music director of the Regina Symphony Orchestra for a decade, earning the title of conductor emeritus upon his departure. Since 2023, he has also served as artistic director of City Opera Vancouver, a role he will continue alongside his new position.
Gerrard grew up on a farm outside of Brandon, began piano lessons at seven, and left for the University of Manitoba at 17 before completing a master’s degree at the Manhattan School of Music in New York. Winnipeg audiences saw him most recently when he conducted Manitoba Opera’s production of “The Marriage of Figaro” in April.
“Coming home to join Manitoba Opera is a true full-circle moment,” said Gerrard, in a statement. “This is the company where I saw my first opera in the 1990s, and it’s where my fascination with this art form truly began.”
The artistic director position is newly created. It follows a leadership restructuring after longtime general director and CEO Larry Desrochers chose not to renew his contract, which expired in May 2026, after more than 25 years in the role. The company split his former position into two roles — executive director and artistic director — with Michael Blais elevated to executive director last August.
