Opera Lafayette, an opera company in Washington, D.C., known for its use of period instruments, has appointed Patrick Quigley as its Artistic Director Designate. Quigley's selection comes after the resignation of Ryan Brown, who founded the company in 1995 and has served as its Artistic Director since then. Brown will retire fully in the middle of 2025.

Quigley's term as Artistic Director Designate has already begun and will continue until July 2025, when he will assume the full role of Artistic Director.

During the transitional period, Quigley will conduct the opera "Morgain, ou, Le Sultan d’Isphahan" by Edmond Dédé. This particular opera holds significance as it is the first known opera composed by an African American composer. Dédé, born in New Orleans, spent much of his career in nineteenth-century France.

Patrick Quigley is the Founder and Artistic Director of Seraphic Fire, a vocal ensemble based in Miami. He pursued music theory and history at the University of Notre Dame and later studied conducting with Marguerite Brooks at the Yale School of Music.

Throughout his career, Quigley has conducted various orchestras, including the Cleveland Orchestra, San Francisco Symphony, Hamilton Philharmonic, Indianapolis Symphony, and the Orchestra of St. Lukes.

Quigley expressed his excitement about taking over from Ryan Brown and becoming part of the Opera Lafayette family as Artistic Director Designate. He praised Opera Lafayette's commitment to artistic excellence and innovation, pushing the boundaries of historical opera companies in the 21st century.

Ryan Brown, the departing Artistic Director, spoke highly of Quigley, describing him as an exceptional musician and conductor with an entrepreneurial spirit. Brown also praised Quigley's understanding of the importance of arts organizations in enriching the lives of artists, audiences, and the wider public. He looks forward to collaborating with Quigley over the next two years and anticipates the enriching experiences he will bring to the company's future.