Opera Australia flags leadership renewal

As chief executive Rory Jeffes steps down, the opera company also will be seeking a successor to artistic director Lyndon Terracini.

Opera Australia chief executive Rory Jeffes at the Sydney Opera House. Picture: Daniel Aarons

The nation’s biggest performing arts company, Opera Australia, will have new artistic and executive leadership in two years, ­following a surprise decision by Rory Jeffes to resign as chief executive.

Citing personal reasons and a desire to clear the way for ­renewal at the top of the company, Mr Jeffes, 62, announced on Tuesday that he would leave OA before the end of the year.

His resignation after what will be almost four years means the OA board, led by chairman David Mortimer, will be searching for both a chief executive and a successor to artistic director Lyndon Terracini, whose term ends in 2023.

“My news does give the board the opportunity to think about the right structure for the long term for the organisation, and to make decisions about the ­future,” Mr Jeffes said.

His departure comes at a critical juncture for OA, which has flagged a multi-million-dollar loss for 2020, due to the cancellation of hundreds of performances in the lockdown period.

The company has been through an operational restructure, with the loss of 56 jobs, including from the orchestra, and the sale of an inner-Sydney warehouse used for set storage.

Last month OA returned to the Sydney Opera House, ­becoming one of the few opera companies in the world able to give live performances — a “phenomenal achievement by everyone in the company”, Mr Jeffes said.

He said he enjoyed a robust relationship with Terracini, who has led OA since 2009, including a period as acting chief executive. “There is nothing in my ­relationship with Lyndon which is leading to my decision,” he said. “It’s one of positive, dynamic and constructive tension, but that’s as it should be between a CEO and artistic director.”

Mr Mortimer said he was sorry Mr Jeffes was leaving, adding that he understood the “exceptional” pressures on him and other staff during the past year.

Mr Jeffes said he hoped to again work for an arts or not-for-profit company.