Lyndon Terracini urges more funds to get serious on culture

Opera Australia artistic director Lyndon Terracini has entered the arts funding debate.

Rising star Nicole Car in Sydney yesterday. Picture: James Croucher

Opera Australia artistic director Lyndon Terracini has entered the arts funding debate, saying a substantial increase in government support across the arts sector would show we are a nation serious about culture.

On the eve of 60th-annivers­ary celebrations for the national opera company, Terracini said a $5 million increase — on top of OA’s $25m a year — would allow it to present special opera seasons in every capital.

He called for extra funding, not only for OA but across the arts sector, to “make a statement” about national identity and the value placed on Australian ­culture. “At the moment, no ­government of any persuasion in this country is investing in the cultural capital of the future of the nation,” Terracini said.

OA, which will mark its jubilee with a gala concert tomorrow, has attracted criticism because of its continuing high subsidy amid a $73m restructure of federal arts funding.

Terracini said he did not ­expect a funding increase to flow from a separate federal government review into OA and three state opera companies.

He was disappointed the NSW government had not agreed to compensate OA for next year’s closure of the Joan Sutherland Theatre at the Sydney Opera House. The theatre is closing for seven months for overdue upgrades to stage machinery.

Tomorrow’s gala at the Opera House will feature OA singers Nic­ole Car, Jose Carbo, Emma Matthews, Milijana Nikolic and Diego Torre, and will welcome conductor Simone Young back to the company after her departure in 2003.

Car, a rising soprano and graduate of OA’s young artist program, was excited to be part of the company’s anniversary.

“There is such a history of amazing performers,” she said at a rehearsal yesterday.

“To be able to celebrate their work is such an honour.”