Ian Derrer named next general director of Canadian Opera Company | EarRelevant

EarRelevant Staff | 12 FEB 2026

TORONTO, Canada— The Canadian Opera Company (COC) has appointed Ian Derrer as its next general director, the company announced. He will assume the role on July 1, 2026, at the start of the 2026–27 season.

The appointment follows a search process led by the COC Board of Directors’ search committee in collaboration with executive search firm Isaacson Miller. According to the company, the process lasted more than a year and included consultation with stakeholders within the organization and the opera field.

Derrer is currently the Kern Wildenthal General Director and CEO of The Dallas Opera, a position he has held since 2018. During his tenure there, the company reported gains in fundraising and audience development, including a recent challenge campaign that raised $54.5 million, exceeding its target.

Marcia Lewis Brown, chair of the COC Board of Directors, said in a statement that Derrer’s experience in artistic planning, fundraising, and community engagement aligned with the company’s long-term priorities.

Derrer said he looks forward to working with the COC’s leadership team, including Artistic Director Roberto Mauro and Music Director Johannes Debus, and to building on the company’s artistic and organizational plans.

Before joining The Dallas Opera, Derrer served as general director of Kentucky Opera. He also spent eight years at Lyric Opera of Chicago, where he held production and rehearsal leadership roles. Earlier in his career, he worked professionally as a baritone, stage manager, and assistant director. He holds degrees from Brooklyn College, Northwestern University, and Southern Methodist University.

Derrer will succeed David C. Ferguson, who has served as the COC’s general director since June 2024. Ferguson is expected to remain in the post through the end of the 2025–26 season to assist with the transition. During his tenure, the company developed a five-year strategic plan intended to guide future operations and programming.

Ferguson said in a statement that he believes the organization is well-positioned for the future and expressed confidence in Derrer’s leadership. Brown also thanked Ferguson for his service, citing his role in stabilizing operations and advancing strategic planning.

Founded in 1950, the Canadian Opera Company is the largest producer of opera in Canada and performs at the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts in Toronto. ■

EXTERNAL LINKS:

Canadian Opera Company: coc.ca
The Dallas Opera: dallasopera.org

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