Terracini quits

Opera Australia has announced that after 13 years at its artistic helm, Lyndon Terracini is leaving his role as Artistic Director, more than a year before his contract ends.

The company said that "it was agreed by all that now is the right time for him to step down" to allow him to explore a range of opportunities in Australia and overseas.

Opera Australia has had a difficult time of late - reporting a $22.6 million operating loss in 2021 due to the on-going impact of Covid-19.

Earlier this year an internal survey found that at least one in three staff members at Opera Australia believed that bullying and harassment was a problem at the national performing arts company.

A number of other executives have also left the company this year.

In the media release issued today Opera Australia CEO Fiona Allan was positive about Lyndon Terracini’s contribution to the company.

“Opera Australia is grateful to Lyndon for his significant contributions during his tenure and for his artistic vision,” said Ms Allan.

Terracini is the second longest serving Artistic Director in the Company’s 65-year history.

“I have loved being the Artistic Director at Opera Australia for the past 13 years and I am stepping down from the position to get on with the next phase of my life, to pursue new adventures and enable the transition of my successor.

“I am excited about what lies ahead for the new Artistic Director and Opera Australia, and also for me. I was privileged to build my legacy at Opera Australia, and you will find me, as close to row G (where I have sat for 13 years) as possible, enjoying the performances as a patron and cheering you all on. I know Opera Australia will continue to deliver the best in talent and capture the hearts of the audience,” said Lyndon.

Highlights of Lyndon’s time at the artistic helm of Opera Australia

Overseeing Opera Australia’s first two Ring Cycles performed in Melbourne in 2013 and 2016, with his third, the world’s first fully digital Ring Cycle being performed in Brisbane next year after two years of delays due to covid.

• Creating the highly successful, outdoor opera spectacular Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour, that has been a must-see on Sydney’s cultural calendar for ten years.

• Introducing digital sets, backdrops and technologies for The Ring and other productions, which radically modernised how opera can be staged in Australia.

• Attracting new audiences to opera by performing on Coolangatta Beach, Uluru and Sydney Harbour.

• Commissioning new Australian works including The Rabbits, The Divorce and Whiteley and forging highly successful partnerships that brought My Fair Lady, Evita, West Side Story, and now Cameron Mackintosh's production of Phantom of the Opera, to Australia.

Opera Australia will officially farewell Lyndon at the opening night of Attila on 29 October at the Sydney Opera House.