Patrick Nolan reappointed Opera Queensland CEO & Artistic Director

Opera Queensland has reappointed Patrick Nolan as CEO & Artistic Director for a further four-year term.

Opera Queensland Chair Emeritus Professor David Siddle said the Board was thrilled to announce Nolan would continue in his role for a further term.

“Since Patrick commenced in November 2017, the company has entered an exciting new phase of development, with a focus on nurturing artists, strengthening relationships and building audiences,” Emeritus Professor Siddle said.

“Key successes under Patrick’s leadership include the addition of a third main stage production at QPAC, an expanded regional program, and stronger partnerships with the corporate sector and private donors.”

Emeritus Professor Siddle said Nolan’s leadership had enabled Opera Queensland to thrive as he has continued to deliver artistically and operationally on the strategic plan.

“Over the past four years, despite the recent challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, Patrick has demonstrated his commitment to celebrating the inherent strengths of the canon, actively engaging artists of the highest calibre to develop and reinvigorate the art form through a contemporary lens,” Emeritus Professor Siddle said.

“Building upon the strength of these successes and strong collaborative relationships with other arts organisations, funding bodies, donors, artists, and audiences, Patrick’s leadership will play a vital role in the rejuvenation and activation of the company as it emerges from the impact of COVID-19 and beyond.”

On the back of the stunning success of The Marriage of Figaro, the Board congratulated Patrick on his re-appointment.

Patrick Nolan thanked the Board for their support.

“At a time when the Arts are under so much stress from the impact of the virus, this reappointment is a great privilege and responsibility. Opera Queensland is also very fortunate to be part of an Arts community in Queensland that is very well supported by the state government.”

“As we celebrate Opera Queensland’s 40th anniversary this year, we are conscious the success of the company rests upon all the artists and arts workers who have come before us. Now we’re excited about the next forty years, putting our energy into imagining all the new work and new ideas we have to explore.” Mr Nolan said.

“It’s a very exciting time to be leading an Arts company in Queensland. The recent announcement of the 2032 Olympics is a boon to an already flourishing local Arts sector. The eyes of the world are going to be on Queensland over the coming years and the Arts community is going to be key in attracting visitors and revealing the energy and stories that make it such an exciting place to be.”

Serving Australia’s most decentralised state, Opera Queensland is as renowned for the exceptional quality of its main stage productions as it is for its ground-breaking regional programs. The company’s focus on celebrating Australian artists and reimagining classic stories has revealed how dynamic and relevant opera can be as an art form for modern audiences.

This is well evidenced in the growth in audiences it has enjoyed under Nolan’s leadership.