Alexander Lingas to Retire as Cappella Romana Music Director
Founder to become Music Director Emeritus after 35 years at the head as ensemble launches leadership search.
FEB. 19, 2026 — Alexander Lingas, founder and longtime music director of Cappella Romana, will step down this spring and assume the title of Music Director Emeritus following the final concerts of the ensemble’s current season on March 6–7, 2026. Lingas will conduct performances of Maximilian Steinberg’s "Passion Week" before formally transitioning from the role he has held since founding the group in 1991.
According to a release from Capella Romana, Lingas said he is relinquishing his post in order to focus on academic work in Eastern Orthodox liturgy and music. He will continue his scholarly activity through affiliations with the Institute for Orthodox Christian Studies and the St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary, where he is connected with the Institute of Sacred Arts.
Founded in the wake of fundraising concerts organized after the 1989 San Francisco earthquake, Cappella Romana grew under Lingas’ leadership into an internationally recognized ensemble specializing in the sacred music of the Christian East and West. Over three and a half decades, the group expanded its activities to include recordings, commissions and premieres of new works, educational outreach, research initiatives, and publications, as well as the launch of Cappella Records and Cappella Romana Publishing.
Board President John Paterakis credited Lingas with establishing the ensemble as a leading voice for Byzantine and Orthodox music internationally, while Executive Director Mark Powell described him as one of the foremost authorities on Orthodox musical traditions.
The board has appointed John Michael Boyer, currently associate music director, as Interim Music Director for the 2026–27 season. An international search for a permanent successor will be conducted over the coming year.
John Michael Boyer. Photo: Capella Romana
Receptions marking Lingas’ tenure and Cappella Romana’s 35th anniversary will accompany the March performances in Seattle and Portland, including events at St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church and Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral, the latter near the site of the ensemble’s founding.
Previously, the UOJ reported that Orthodox composer Arvo Part's works are topping global charts.
