Risinger, a lecturer in Harvard's music department, said the job of senior tutor has cut into the time he can spend on other work.
"I feel like in some ways it's a good time to enter a new phase of my career, and also to return to being much more active as a scholar," Risinger said.
Risinger said he plans to move to New York when he leaves Harvard this spring. There, he plans to return to writing and performing opera and other forms of music.
Meanwhile, Risinger said his scholarship will focus on his research of Georg Frederic Handel. Specifically, he plans to be involved with Harvard faculty on such projects as the upcoming complete publication of Handel's works in Germany.
Conley said the search for Risinger's replacement has already narrowed to several candidates from inside and outside the College.