Opera Australia's artistic director announces immediate resignation

Opera Australia says it was a mutual decision for Lyndon Terracini to end his term as artistic director. His exit follows a number of other high-profile departures.

Lyndon Terracini says he is exiting his role as Opera Australia's artistic director effective immediately. Source: AAP / Bianca De Marchi

Key Points

• Lyndon Terracini says he is stepping down immediately as Opera Australia's artistic director to "pursue new adventures".
• His contract was expected to run until the end of this year.

Opera Australia's artistic director Lyndon Terracini has announced he is quitting the company with immediate effect.

Terracini, who has managed Opera Australia for 13 years, joins a growing list of senior staff to leave the organisation in recent months.

His contract was expected to run until the end of this year.

The 72-year-old said he was quitting to "get on with the next phase of my life, to pursue new adventures and enable the transition of my successor".

Opera Australia said it was mutually agreed it was the right time for the former singer to leave.

"Opera Australia is grateful to Lyndon for his significant contributions during his tenure and for his artistic vision," chief executive Fiona Allan said in a statement on Thursday.

Terracini's abrupt departure follows a series of high-profile changes at the organisation, including the departure of Opera Australia's chairman, technical director and marketing boss.

Opera Australia's former chief executive left the company last year.