Santa Fe Opera chief conductor Frederic Chaslin has resigned and opera officials say a search for his successor will start in the fall.

Opera General Director Charles Mackay said Tuesday that Chaslin was leaving because he wants to focus on composing, and has a busy schedule of concerts and a recording project as music director of the Jerusalem Symphony Orchestra.

The opera has finished this year's season.

Chaslin, who also is a pianist, was named chief conductor in 2010 and debuted with the opera in 2009 with a production of Verdi's "La Traviata." He was born and lives in Paris.