Eiki Isomura is artistic director and principal conductor of Opera in the Heights in Houston, where he has led over 100 performances of over 25 operas. He previously served on the music staff of Arizona Opera and HGO, preparing the workshops and world premieres of numerous chamber operas, including The Memory Stone(2013); during the 2022-23 season he also conducted three world-premiere vocal chamber pieces for HGO’s Music and Meditations, the final presentation of our Seeking the Human Spirit initiative. Recent and upcoming engagements include Toshio Hosokawa’s The Raven at Opera Philadelphia; Jack Perla/Jessica Murphy Moo’s An American Dream at Opera Santa Barbara; the world premiere of Laura Schwendinger/Ginger Strand’s Cabaret of Shadows, Trevor Weston’s Stars, Marcus Maroney’s Velvet, Rob Smith’s Sprint, and Pierre Jalbert’s All is Now with MUSIQA; Tosca at Opera Orlando; Albert Herring at the Harrower Workshop at Georgia State University; and Pirates of Penzance with Houston Gilbert & Sullivan Society. A devoted advocate for new music, Isomura has formed partnerships between numerous organizations and his home company, Opera in the Heights, to co-commission and co-produce numerous critically acclaimed new operas. In addition to his work as conductor, producer, educator, and librettist/translator, Isomura is a sought-after adjudicator of vocal competitions and panelist for arts organizations. He serves on the Opera America Artistic Services Council and holds a doctorate in orchestral conducting from the University of Michigan.
Conductor:
MUSIC AND MEDITATIONS - “A Stillness That Moves,” “Drives,” and “hela” 2022-23 (World premiere vocal chamber pieces, Rothko Chapel)
Musical Preparation:
THE MEMORY STONE 2012-13 (World premiere, Asia Society Texas Center and Japan Festival at Hermann Park)
RIVER OF LIGHT 2013-14 (World premiere, Sri Meenakshi Temple, Ripley House Neighborhood Center, and Asia Society Texas Center)