[From SF Opera, 6/24/04] PAMELA ROSENBERG TO LEAVE POST AS SAN FRANCISCO OPERA'S GENERAL DIRECTOR IN 2006 Association Begins Search for Successor SAN FRANCISCO, CA. - The San Francisco Opera Association and General Director Pamela Rosenberg announced today that Ms. Rosenberg has elected not to renew her contract when it expires on July 31, 2006. San Francisco Opera Association President Karl Mills said the Association would immediately commence an international search for Ms. Rosenberg's successor. "I am proud of the artistry I have helped bring to the Opera House stage and am excited about what is ahead of us in the next two years," Ms. Rosenberg said. "I am equally proud that the San Francisco Opera is on the path to good health and, by 2006, will be financially stable." Ms. Rosenberg explained she had struggled with the decision to leave the Opera. But after careful consideration she said, the decision reflects a desire to increase her focus on new works and productions. "My time in San Francisco has been extraordinary; truly a time in my career I will always remember," she said. "As I look to the next phase in my career, I want to find more time to do what I love most, which is bringing new works to the operatic stage." Ms. Rosenberg also cited the distance between her work in San Francisco and her children and grandchildren who live in Europe as another important reason for her decision, "Being this far from them has been more difficult than I anticipated," she explained. In a letter to Franklin Pitch Johnson, Jr., Chairman of the Opera's Board of Directors, and Mr. Mills, Ms. Rosenberg expressed gratitude to the Company, the Opera's Music Director Donald Runnicles, the Board and the community for their support and generosity. "The generosity of this community in its love of opera and support for this Company is unequalled anywhere," she said, "I also wish to take this opportunity to thank Donald Runnicles for being a wonderful artistic partner to me in every way. Donald is one of the Company's most treasured assets." In her remarks to the Board, Ms. Rosenberg added that she is especially pleased that Runnicles has indicated his strong desire to be an active part of this Company's artistic leadership beyond 2006. Since joining San Francisco Opera in August 2001, Ms. Rosenberg has added an impressive list of accomplishments to her credits including exciting American premieres, many vibrant productions, the introduction of new artists to the San Francisco audience and the upcoming presentation of Doctor Atomic (2006), a new opera by internationally recognized composer John Adams. "Pamela has written an important new chapter in San Francisco Opera's artistic history, one that has brought the Company new levels of international acclaim and recognition," said Pitch Johnson, "Her sense of craftsmanship, love of creating new works and passion for every detail has given San Francisco opera lovers a total experience where every element of the art comes together. The Opera will continue to build upon her artistic leadership and also upon its rich tradition of presenting opera performances of the highest international quality to the widest possible audiences." Association President Mills added, "We have been very fortunate to have Pamela as our leader. Under her stewardship, the Company successfully turned the corner in our five-year plan to achieve financial stability by 2006, while continuing to excite audiences with exceptional artistic vitality." Search for Replacement Begins Mills said the Board would begin its search for Ms. Rosenberg's replacement immediately. "The Board is committed to continuing the legacy of artistic excellence that is at the core of San Francisco Opera's 82-year history by conducting a far-reaching search for a new General Director capable of carrying on the grand traditions and high standards of this Company and this community," Mills said. Mills said that Opera Board member George Hume will serve as Chair of the Search Committee. He added that the Association has retained the search firm of Spencer Stuart to conduct the search. "The involvement of Donald Runnicles and other members of the Company, the community and leaders of the arts world will be important to the search process," he said. "We have a clear sense of strategic direction, but the first step will be to talk to a lot of people and do a lot of listening." Janos Gereben/SF [In Idaho, to 6/27] www.sfcv.org [log in to unmask]