Ziggy Switkowski, Chairman of Opera Australia has announced Lyndon Terracini (pictured above in cutting-edge-like-trendy-graffiti mode) as the new Artistic Director of OA. "We were very impressed by the pool of candidates we attracted (and) Lyndon emerged as the leading candidate," Switkowski said. "He showed a strong creative vision, extensive knowledge of the repertoire and an understanding of the unique challenges and opportunities for the Australian environment." Switkowski continued, "He impressed the board with his vision for opera in Australia and convinced us that he had the ability to work with the Chief Executive Adrian Collette to deliver on that vision."
Speaking from Melbourne, Terracini (pictured above in his cool-as-a-cucumber-yet-steely-eyed-and-sharp mode) said "I'm thrilled and honoured to be chosen as the next Artistic Director of Opera Australia."
The appointment comes after a search that started in January, following the untimely death of the previous artistic leader Musical Director Richard Hickox. In 2008, Opera Australia was placed under siege by a community of disgruntled artists and patrons who rallied to the support mezzo-soprano Fiona Janes, who in April wrote a 3700-word letter to the board criticising Hickox as ageist, a bully and accused him of plunging the company into an "abyss of mediocrity". The story went into the public arena and pressure mounted for Hickox, CEO Adrian Collette and the OA Board to explain themselves and lead to a series flurried discussions (both internally and publicly) to turn the situation, while the saga dragged through to November. Even the day after Hickox had been reported as dead following a heart attack, Alan Jones, Opera Australia's most strident and persistant opponent, was still hollering for scalps.
In January, Switkowski made the selection process for the new artistic leader public. It included external consultations with a panel of eminent professionals with significant Australian and international experience including director Neil Armfield, composer Richard Mills, opera singers Jonathan Summers and Yvonne Kenny, among others. The company also sought advice from major international companies of similar size as well as production partners from across the country. The company also gazed at it's navel and talked with internal groups about the appointment and held discussions over six weeks with senior artistic management, ensemble and freelance principal singers, members of the Australian Opera and Ballet Orchestra and the Opera Australia Chorus, and various stakeholder groups involved in backstage and production management.
"I'm mindful of the responsibilities of the position, in fact humbled by it." Terracini (pictured above in his warm-and-natural-like-wood mode) said, "the company's 50-year history and its traditions, at the same time I am looking forward to the excitement of the future. I want to build on the successes of the past to help create a company that is inspiring to all Australians."
Speaking from Melbourne, Terracini (pictured above in his cool-as-a-cucumber-yet-steely-eyed-and-sharp mode) said "I'm thrilled and honoured to be chosen as the next Artistic Director of Opera Australia." Terracini is has enjoyed a successful opera career as a baritone noted for his performances Renato in Un Ballo in Maschera, Escamillo in Carmen and Figaro in The Marriage of Figaro. He has also achieved success as an actor, writer and director and indeed his last appointment was as Chief Executive of Major Brisbane Festivals, which delivers the Brisbane Festival, where he also served as Artistic Director in 2006, 2008 and 2009. His passion for opera comes across clearly and in the video statement released today, he made sure to emphasise this, "It's the greatest art form, I adore opera. It's really something where you combine all the elements of theatre and make something absolutely special and that communicates to an audience in an extraordinary way."
The appointment comes after a search that started in January, following the untimely death of the previous artistic leader Musical Director Richard Hickox. In 2008, Opera Australia was placed under siege by a community of disgruntled artists and patrons who rallied to the support mezzo-soprano Fiona Janes, who in April wrote a 3700-word letter to the board criticising Hickox as ageist, a bully and accused him of plunging the company into an "abyss of mediocrity". The story went into the public arena and pressure mounted for Hickox, CEO Adrian Collette and the OA Board to explain themselves and lead to a series flurried discussions (both internally and publicly) to turn the situation, while the saga dragged through to November. Even the day after Hickox had been reported as dead following a heart attack, Alan Jones, Opera Australia's most strident and persistant opponent, was still hollering for scalps.
In January, Switkowski made the selection process for the new artistic leader public. It included external consultations with a panel of eminent professionals with significant Australian and international experience including director Neil Armfield, composer Richard Mills, opera singers Jonathan Summers and Yvonne Kenny, among others. The company also sought advice from major international companies of similar size as well as production partners from across the country. The company also gazed at it's navel and talked with internal groups about the appointment and held discussions over six weeks with senior artistic management, ensemble and freelance principal singers, members of the Australian Opera and Ballet Orchestra and the Opera Australia Chorus, and various stakeholder groups involved in backstage and production management.
"I'm mindful of the responsibilities of the position, in fact humbled by it." Terracini (pictured above in his warm-and-natural-like-wood mode) said, "the company's 50-year history and its traditions, at the same time I am looking forward to the excitement of the future. I want to build on the successes of the past to help create a company that is inspiring to all Australians." Terracini will begin working with Collette and a music director (yet to be appointed) in October. Already Terracini has created a stir of excitement by indicating that he wants to commission a new body of Australian operas and (gasp) mount a full production of Wagner's four-part Ring cycle. Additionally there will be much emphasis going forward to focus on technology and new ways of producing operas with Switkowski hinting at digital improvisations in staging and using online channels to engage and seek new audiences.
Terracini finished by saying, "I'm looking forward to working with everyone at OA, the musicians, the singers, the artisans, everyone connected to that great family of OA who has such tremendous experience. I'm looking forward to a very exciting experience."
For more details see Opera Australia video, Prima La Musica, The Australian and The Sydney Morning Herald. Damn Sydneysiders get all the news first, at least we had the video filmed in Melbourne. Plus more at The Age and The Daily.
For more details see Opera Australia video, Prima La Musica, The Australian and The Sydney Morning Herald. Damn Sydneysiders get all the news first, at least we had the video filmed in Melbourne. Plus more at The Age and The Daily.
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