“Mr Terracini AM has been with Opera Australia since his appointment as Artistic Director in 2009 and has been integral in its continuing success, attracting international recognition and widespread acclaim for its bold programming and standards of excellence,” a company statement read.
Opera Australia’s chairman, David Mortimer AO, lauded Terracini for his achievements over the past decade.
“Lyndon’s artistic instincts and passion for the art form have raised Opera Australia’s profile and reputation on the international stage,” he said.
“This provides an excellent foundation for the company’s future as a 21st-century performing arts company in an increasingly challenging economic environment.
“Opera Australia is the only major opera company in the world that achieves more than 50 per cent of its revenue from ticket sales and Lyndon’s innovative approach to balancing artistic ambition with audience appeal and an unflinching commitment to quality has contributed enormously to that outcome.”
In an in-depth interview with Il Globo in August, Terracini said that since he was appointed in 2009, Opera Australia has doubled its budget of $50 million.
Terracini added that his recipe for success is the modernisation and diversification of the product.
“Certainly, we still perform at the Sydney Opera House and the Arts Centre Melbourne,” he said.
“But we can be found all over; our shows are also staged on the beaches of Coolangatta, on Sydney Harbour and in schools across NSW and Victoria.
“No other opera company uses technology as much as we do.”
Some of the most remarkable projects Mr Terracini has created over the past 10 years include two highly successful stagings of the Melbourne Ring Cycle, the now globally renowned Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour, the incorporation of the latest technologies with the introduction of the world’s first fully digital repertory opera season, the commissioning of new Australian works including The Rabbits and Whiteley, and the highly successful partnerships with other presenters that brought My Fair Lady, Evita and West Side Story to audiences across Australia.
Terracini is excited about continuing with Opera Australia for another three years and the ongoing challenges that represents.
“I’m thrilled to be continuing as artistic director of this phenomenal organisation and I want to thank the Board, Rory Jeffes and the exceptional team at OA who work tirelessly to deliver wonderful performances throughout Australia on almost every day of the year,” he said.
“In 2020, OA will present 923 performances throughout Australia.
“We have tripled our turnover and tripled the size of our audience over the past 10 years.
“But we still have a lot to do and I’m looking forward very much to the next four years.”
