NZ Opera’s General Director Heads To Scotland

NZ Opera’s General Director Heads To Scotland

The NBR New Zealand Opera’s Chairman, David Gascoigne, announced today that Alex Reedijk, General Director of The NBR New Zealand Opera, will be leaving the company to take up the position of General Director, Scottish Opera, based in Glasgow. Mr Reedijk commences his appointment in February 2006, and will leave The NBR New Zealand Opera at the end of 2005.

Commenting on the departure, Mr Gascoigne said Mr Reedijk has been a powerful force in taking The NBR New Zealand Opera forward during his four years in the General Director’s role. Many significant initiatives and productions had been achieved under Mr Reedijk’s management, and these would continue to resonate well into the future.

“During his time with us, Alex has instigated and achieved some major milestones - not only for the company, but also for the art-form of opera in New Zealand,” said Mr Gascoigne.

“A return to national touring in 2003, after a hiatus of 25 years, has resulted in more New Zealanders now having the opportunity to see live opera in their town. In 2006 the company goes further than we have previously, with a truly national tour that will travel from Kerikeri to Invercargill.

The recent appointment of Wyn Davies as Director of Music and the establishment of the New Zealand Opera Foundation have also looked towards securing the future of opera in this country.

And in production terms, there are many that stand out and will leave their legacy on our arts landscape. There have been New Zealand premieres such as Boris Godunov, The Death of Klinghoffer and the new New Zealand work, The Prodigal Child. And there have been other stand-out productions that have enjoyed successful seasons artistically and with our audiences, such as Tosca, Rigoletto, The Marriage of Figaro and, more recently, Don Giovanni and La Traviata.”

Mr Reedijk’s decision to head to Scottish Opera has been made largely for personal, family reasons. Originally from Wellington, the move will see him return to the UK, where he had previously developed his career in theatre and opera production, before coming back to New Zealand to a role with the International Festival of the Arts as Executive Director, and subsequently as General Director of The NBR New Zealand Opera.

"Alex has done an outstanding job here," said Mr Gascoigne. "We will be very sad to see him go, but we do wish him every success."

A replacement General Director for The NBR New Zealand Opera is being sought.

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