Opera Australia chief to take on new role

Opera Australia Chief Executive Adrian Collette is to step down from the company after 16 years to take a new job with Melbourne University in January, potentially sparking an international search for a replacement.

Announcing his departure, Collette, who has led the company since it was formed in a merger of the Australian Opera and the Victorian State Opera in 1996, said it had been a "privilege to lead Australia's major performing arts company."

Collette's new role as Melbourne University's Executive Director of Engagement and Partnerships will see him to return to his home city after 16 years in Sydney.

NSW Minister for Tourism, Major Events, George Souris, and the Arts, congratulated Collette on his achievements at Opera Australia stating "Adrian has opened up opera to non-traditional audiences and under his guidance, has greatly enhanced the status, nationally and internationally, of Opera Australia.

"I am sorry that he will be leaving, but wish him all success in his future pursuits."

Minister Souris said one of the great successes in which Adrian Collette had been heavily involved was the world-acclaimed Handa Opera on the Harbour-La Traviata which attracted 41,000 patrons, was watched by millions world-wide on television and recently won six major awards, including the major prize, Event of the Year, at both the Australian Event Awards and the Helpmann Awards for live performance.

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