Musicfest Appoints Executive Director

After a national search, Arizona Musicfest has appointed Allan Naplan executive director, effective Feb. 1, 2013.

Naplan has enjoyed a 20-year career as a performing artist, composer, educator and administrator. Most recently, he served as president and general director of Minnesota Opera.

Arizona Musicfest 2013 runs Jan. 28 to March 4 and presents top artists of classical, chamber, jazz, blues, country, rock ’n’ roll and opera at venues throughout the desert foothills of Scottsdale and Carefree. At the heart of the festival is the 60-member Arizona Musicfest Orchestra, comprising musicians from some of the nation’s finest orchestras, 100-voice Arizona Musicfest Chorus and the Arizona Musicfest Chamber Players.

After an initial career as an opera singer, Naplan transitioned to arts administration in 1999 at the Houston Grand Opera. After two seasons there, he joined the Pittsburgh Opera as their director of administration. From there, he became the general director of Madison Opera (Wisc.) in 2005. He comes to Arizona from the Minnesota Opera.

Naplan also maintains an active career as an award-winning composer. Since 1994, his works have sold more than 800,000 copies and have been heard on television broadcasts on all of the major networks, as well as on CNN, PBS, BBC America and the Disney Channel.

Information on festival events