Opera Australia has announced that Artistic Director Lyndon Terracini AM will continue in the role through to 2023 amid celebrations marking his ten years with the Company.
Mr Terracini AM has been with Opera Australia since his appointment as Artistic Director in 2009 and has been integral in its continuing success, attracting international recognition and widespread acclaim for its bold programming and standards of excellence.
Opera Australia’s Chairman David Mortimer AO congratulated Mr Terracini on his achievements over the past ten years. “Lyndon’s artistic instincts and passion for the artform have raised Opera Australia’s profile and reputation on the international stage. This provides an excellent foundation for the Company’s future as a 21st century performing arts company in an increasingly challenging economic environment,” said Mr Mortimer.
“Opera Australia is the only major opera company in the world that achieves more than 50% of its revenue from ticket sales and Lyndon’s innovative approach to balancing artistic ambition with audience appeal and an unflinching commitment to quality has contributed enormously to that outcome.”
Opera Australia CEO Rory Jeffes acknowledged Lyndon’s contribution to the company’s ongoing success and is looking forward to continuing to their work together in the coming years. “As we move into 2020 we will be the first opera company in the world to stage a fully digital Ring Cycle, expanding our program to Brisbane and continuing to fulfill our commitment as Australia’s truly national opera company,” said Mr Jeffes.
“We couldn’t have achieved this without Lyndon’s tenacious and unwavering focus on delivering the highest quality performances to as wide an audience as possible.”
Some of the most remarkable projects Mr Terracini has created over the past ten years include two highly successful stagings of the Melbourne Ring Cycle, the now globally renowned Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour and the incorporation of the latest technologies with the introduction of the world’s first fully digital repertory opera season,
Mr Terracini has also been responsible for the commissioning of new Australian works including The Rabbits and Whiteley, and the highly successful partnerships with other presenters that brought My Fair Lady, Evita and West Side Story to audiences across Australia.
Mr Terracini is excited about continuing with Opera Australia for another three years and the ongoing challenges that represents. “I’m thrilled to be continuing as Artistic Director of this phenomenal organisation and I want to thank the Board, Rory Jeffes and the exceptional team at OA who work tirelessly to deliver wonderful performances throughout Australia on almost every day of the year,” said Mr Terracini.
“In 2020 OA will present 923 performances throughout Australia. We have tripled our turnover and tripled the size of our audience over the past ten years. But we still have a lot to do and I’m looking forward very much to the next four years.”
Opera Australia is one of the top five world’s busiest opera companies and Australia’s largest arts employer. For more information, visit: www.opera.org.au for details.
Image: Lyndon Terracini AM – courtesy of Opera Australia