Karen Stone to step down as General Director of Dallas Opera

by PegNews wire

The Dallas Opera will launch an immediate search for her successor with her resignation effective September 30.

DALLAS, August 8, 2007 - The Dallas Opera announced today that Karen Stone, the fifth General Director of the Company, will resign effective September 30, 2007 in order to pursue other opportunities.

Ms. Stone explained, “I’ve enjoyed my four years in Dallas tremendously, but I’ve decided that I want to focus more on the art form and less on the fund raising that’s required to support the level of quality that Dallas audiences have rightly come to expect. I’m making this move now in order to give the Company time to bring in my successor well in advance of the move to the Margot and Bill Winspear Opera House in October of 2009.”

Jay Marshall, President of the Board of Directors, said, “Under Karen’s leadership, The Dallas Opera has continued to grow artistically and is well-prepared for our exciting future. The whole Board appreciates her contributions and her support in this transition.”

Karen Stone became General Director in 2003. Her tenure included achievements such as the creation of the first Dallas Opera Young Artists’ Program, the launch of the exciting 50th anniversary season-long celebration of the Company’s founding, and numerous artistic triumphs including Dallas Opera premieres of Ariadne auf Naxos, Rodelinda, Luisa Miller, The Queen of Spades, Nabucco, Maria Stuarda, La Rondine, and Lohengrin.

The Board of Directors will form a search committee as soon as possible. While that search is underway, John Cody, Chairman of the Board and former President and Chief Operating Officer of JCPenney, will oversee the activities of The Dallas Opera leadership team. Cody said, “We are blessed with a team of talented individuals who have guided the Company for years. The Opera will be in excellent shape until we can find the right person to succeed Karen Stone.”