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Montreal, June 12, 2025 – The Board of Directors of the Opéra de Montréal announced today the retirement of General Director Patrick Corrigan, which will take effect on November 1, 2025. During his decade-long tenure, Mr. Corrigan built an extraordinary team and community around ambitious programming, championing new opera creation and artist development, and fostering an exceptional array of education and civic action programming. Under his leadership, the Opera strengthened its position as a major cultural institution in Montreal, expanded its reach and audience base, increased its resources, and reinforced its governance.
To lead the next chapter and honour this legacy of excellence, the Board of Directors is proud to announce the appointment of Jean-Pierre Primiani, currently Chief Philanthropy Officer, as incoming General Director of the Opéra de Montréal, effective November 1, 2025.
Mr. Primiani has played an instrumental role in building a culture of philanthropy at the Opéra de Montréal and shaping the success of the company with a strategy of mission-centred community building, dramatically increasing contributed revenue and establishing the Opéra de Montréal as an industry leader. He first joined the company in 2011. He then led individual philanthropy at the Orchestre symphonique de Montréal for three seasons before returning to the Opéra de Montréal at the beginning of Patrick Corrigan’s tenure.
This planned leadership transition was carefully prepared over several years by the Board of Directors and Mr. Corrigan to ensure continuity and to prioritize internal talent.
After a rigorous process including multiple interviews, the Board unanimously selected Mr. Primiani as the next General Director, confident in his ability to lead the organization into a new era.
“Jean-Pierre embodies the values and vision of the Opéra de Montréal. We are deeply grateful to Patrick Corrigan for the exceptional leadership he has provided over the past decade, positioning the company for continued success. Jean-Pierre’s longstanding commitment, strategic acumen, and deep relationships within the arts community make him uniquely suited to take the reins,” said René Branchaud, Chair of the Board. “This appointment reflects the strength of our governance and our belief in nurturing leaders from within. We are thrilled for what lies ahead.”
Mr. Primiani added: “It is with profound gratitude and great excitement that I accept this opportunity. The Opéra de Montréal holds a vital place in the heart of our city and I look forward to amplifying its impact, with the exceptional support of our community. I am honoured to guide its next chapter with our extraordinary team, artists, and audiences.”
With renewed leadership and deep roots in the community, the Opéra de Montréal moves forward with energy, purpose, and gratitude to all who support its mission.
Opéra de Montréal
Firmly rooted in Montreal, at the crossroads of North American and European cultures, the Opéra de Montréal serves as a catalyst for the city’s artistic creativity and celebrates the rich vocal heritage of Quebec and Canada, bringing opera to life in its most diverse and daring forms. From the great pillars of the operatic repertoire to new works from here and abroad, through its professional training program for the finest young Canadian singers and its strong commitment to community and education, the Opéra de Montréal offers unforgettable lyrical events—where everyone is warmly welcomed and made to feel at home.
Leadership Team of the Opéra de Montréal
Patrick Corrigan, General Director
Patrick Corrigan holds an MBA from Royal Roads University, along with formal musical training acquired at several Canadian institutions, including McGill University, the Banff Centre for the Arts, and the Victoria Conservatory of Music. After completing his musical education, he began his career in 1990 as an opera singer. In 1996, he joined Pacific Opera Victoria as a stage manager, a position he held until 2000. During that time, he also worked at the Victoria Conservatory of Music from 1998 to 2000 as Manager of Alix Goolden Hall and Program Director of the Opera Studio. In 2000, he was appointed Director of Marketing and Development at Pacific Opera Victoria, a role he held until 2010, when he became the organization’s President and CEO. From 2012 to 2015, he also served as Chair of Opera.ca, the national association for opera in Canada. In September 2016, he became General Director of the Opéra de Montréal, and in collaboration with the board and his team, developed a five-year strategic plan approved in 2019, defining the company’s priorities and development goals. From the outset of his tenure, he built a strong team that helped expand the company’s artistic programming, multiply creative collaborations, launch an annual new work through its creation program, increase operating budgets, and invest more significantly in community programming, all while prioritizing accessibility to its activities and events.
Jean-Pierre Primiani, Incoming General Director
A recognized leader in the field of cultural philanthropy, Jean-Pierre Primiani has served as Director of Development at the Opéra de Montréal since 2017. Under his leadership, private fundraising revenues have multiplied and now exceed box office revenues, positioning the company as a national leader in individual philanthropy and laying the groundwork for a major capital campaign. Over the past fifteen years, he has earned a reputation as a tireless builder of business relationships, a committed ambassador for the arts, and a pioneer in cultural philanthropy, with wide-ranging experience spanning symphonic music, opera, theatre, and dance. An active member of AFP (Association of Fundraising Professionals), CAGP (Canadian Association of Gift Planners), and CPC (Conversations philanthropiques en culture), Mr. Primiani is frequently called upon to advise arts organizations and foundations in their fundraising efforts. He serves on the advisory board of the Faculty of Music at the Université de Montréal, sits on the scholarship committee of AFP Québec, and chairs the philanthropy jury of the Concours musical international de Montréal. He holds training in classical voice, a Bachelor’s degree in Italian literature from McGill University, and a Master’s degree in cultural enterprise management from HEC Montréal. He also completed professional development with major opera companies in the United States, conducting research on private funding models for opera in North America.
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