Zachary James Steps Down From Opera Ithaca

Opera Ithaca has announced that Zachary James, Founder and General Director of Opera Ithaca, has stepped down from his position. Opera Ithaca has planned a national search for the vacant position while Artistic Director Lynn Craver and Board of Directors Treasurer Dan Taylor will run the company in the interim. Opera Ithaca's previously announced 5th season will continue as scheduled with James returning to the company to direct Hamlet and sing Carl Magnus in a Little Night Music.

In a statement addressed to patrons Opera Ithaca shared James "has left Ithaca and resigned from his position as General Director to pursue opportunities in his outstanding singing career. We expect these changes will take him to exciting places and new heights in the opera world, and we wish him the best in those pursuits." According to James' website he will make his Metropolitan Opera debut in their 2019/2020 season and will appear with Des Moines Metro Opera, Union Avenue Opera, Virginia Opera, English National Opera and Nashville Opera in the next year.

In an announcement on Twitter James said, "I love Opera Ithaca and the Ithaca community with my whole heart. My experience leading this company has been one of the highlights of my life. I am grateful for the outpouring of support Opera Ithaca has received from the community and am excited to witness its continued success."

During James' leadership the company produced Bluebeard's Castle, the professional company premiere of Il Sogno, Don Giovanni, Die Fledermaus, the world premiere of Billy Blythe, the regional premiere of Thumbprint, Abduction from the Seraglio, Cinderella, Pagliacci, The Pirates of Penzance, the professional company premiere of Bully Pulpit, Tosca, Carmen and Song From The Uproar in addition to dozens of community and outreach concerts and events and an international vocal competition. Opera Ithaca's previously announced 5th season includes Hamlet, A Little Night Music, La bohème and a double bill of Francesca Caccini's La Liberazione di Ruggiero and the world premiere of Kamala Sankaram and Rob Handel's Enchantress.