Opera Australia will not renew Simone Young's contract as artistic and
music director after it expires in 2003, the company announced Friday.
In a statement issued jointly with the conductor, CEO Adrian Collette said that Young's "visions for the artistic growth of the company are not sustainable by OA in its current financial position and we have reluctantly concluded that we have to seek another path."
Also in the statement, Young said, "I have always said that if certain artistic development could not be made, including an increase in the size of the orchestra and the choirs and the maintenance of certain vocal standards, I would not continue as music director. This is a very sad position for the national opera company and the arts in Australia."
Young has made headlines throughout her career — she was the first
woman to conduct at the Vienna State Opera and the Opera Bastille, among other
houses — and it was seen as a coup for Opera Australia when she was
hired in 2000. She has brought new visibility and new productions — as
well as a wave of up-and-coming women conductors — to the perpetually
cash-strapped company.
