Breaking: Janice Mancini Del Sesto Leaving
Earlier this afternoon, Janice Mancini Del Sesto, Boston Lyric Opera's longtime general director, gathered the staff to tell them she would be leaving. Her exit won't be until 2009, but it comes with BLO already searching for a replacement for Music Director Stephen Lord.
From a just-issued press release:
"Boston, MA — Steven P. Akin, Chairman of the Board of Boston Lyric Opera (BLO), announced today that Janice Mancini Del Sesto has informed the Board of her decision to leave her position as General Director upon completion of her current contract in June 2009.
“When her contract expires, Jan will have held her post for 17 seasons and believes that both she and the organization are ready for change,” Mr. Akin said. “During the search for new artistic leadership to replace Music Director Stephen Lord, Jan concluded that Boston Lyric Opera would be better served by putting a new administrative and artistic team in place going forward. She wanted to give notice of her decision in order to provide ample time for the search and an adequate transition period.” Maestro Lord ends his tenure with the Company after 17 seasons in June 2008.
“It has been a great joy and privilege to serve as General Director of BLO,” Ms. Del Sesto said. “At this point in my personal and professional life, I look forward to new challenges when I complete my tenure in 2009. BLO has a strong staff, board and support base; a healthy balance sheet; and an excellent product, programs and reputation. There couldn’t be a better time for the Company to recruit a new administrative and artistic team.”
I guess she heard that I was displeased with the repertoire this season and planned not to attend any performances of the BLO. It probably didn't help that Opera Boston had sold-out performances for their adventurous fare while BLO was offering half-price tickets at the Bostic kiosk.
Three of our opera goers decided not to renew our subscription this year as well, and switched to Opera Boston for the same reason. When we started going to BLO there was at least one adventurous opera per year. Now its all a repetition of old standards. Boring!!!!
Joe...did you have something to do with this?
I called in, and I know of three friends who called in, specifically to cancel our subscriptions and complain about the "all top 20, all the time") repertory choices. I'm certain that our shared reaction has something to do with this resignation.
I've worked with Janice since she began. She made many changes, most of them very good for the company.
When I began they were doing 2 performances of each opera, now they do 6 or 7.
Personally I have had only pleasant dealings with her.
ANY person running an organization is open to scrutiny. I think she leave the company in very good shape. I look forward to the new administration which will take the compnay to the next plateau
What ticky-tacky comments! How gossipy and self-centered are we? I enjoy both OB and BLO and find BLO to be far more professional and offer much better singing. BLO's repertoire can be traditional, but at least they are paying the bills, just as the MFA does with Ralph Lauren's car collection. From what I have seen of Mancini, she will be a great loss, as will Steve Lord. Methinks we're hearing from some jilted singers here.
This blogger might want to review your comment before posting it.
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