New artistic director for Opera Australia

After a four-month global search, Opera Australia has found its new artistic director close to home, appointing Lyndon Terracini, the Artistic Director and Chief Executive of Major Brisbane Festivals.

The Chairman of Opera Australia, Ziggy Switkowski, said Terracini (pictured) was the outstanding candidate in an exceptional field.

"He fulfilled all the requirements we were looking for including a strong creative vision, extensive knowledge of the repertoire and an understanding of the unique challenges and opportunities of the Australian environment," Switkowski explained.

The opera company's Chief Executive, Adrian Collette, said Terracini was a champion of Australian music and talent, and had a deep knowledge of the opera repertoire.

"His comprehensive experience in the Australian arts industry will enable him to oversee the artistic future of our national opera company and its personnel with confidence and sensitivity," Collette stated.

Terracini, who will take up his role in October, said he was "honoured, humbled and respectful of the responsibility of the role.

"I am mindful of the company's 50-year history and its traditions, at the same time I am looking forward to the excitement of the future. I want to build on the successes of the past to help create a company that is inspiring to all Australians."

Terracini has worked in Australia and internationally with a variety of opera companies in a broad range of traditional and contemporary repertoire.

His appointment follows the death of the company's music director, Richard Hickox, last November.

The company will no doubt hope the news will provide some much-needed stability, following a series of offstage dramas over allegations of declining standards, discriminatory casting and nepotism and a fracas over the alleged squandering of a $1.75 million bequest.