David Gockley Named San Francisco Opera's Sixth General Director

David Gockley Named San Francisco Opera's Sixth General Director

Gockley to Become General Director on January 1, 2006; Pamela Rosenberg to Serve as Executive Advisor During Transition

SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. 7 /PRNewswire/ -- David Gockley, Houston Grand Opera's general director for the past 33 years and the man whose vision the New York Times says has " ... shaped the destiny of opera in America ... " has been named as the sixth general director of San Francisco Opera. The appointment was announced by Franklin P. Johnson, Jr., chairman of the San Francisco Opera Association's Board of Directors, and Karl O. Mills, the Association's president. The announcement was made today at a press conference in the foyer of the War Memorial Opera House. Gockley's nomination was confirmed at a special meeting of the Opera's Board of Directors held last Friday, February 4, 2005.

Gockley will officially take his new post on January 1, 2006, becoming the Company's sixth general director. Pamela Rosenberg, the Opera's current general director will continue to serve as the Company's executive advisor through December 2006.

"San Francisco is a great international city with a distinguished operatic tradition going back almost 85 years," stated General Director Designate David Gockley. "This institution is truly a jewel in the City's cultural crown. I am humbled, energized, and excited by the opportunity to lead this company into the future."

"David Gockley's passion for opera, his work to build one of the country's most successful opera companies, and his demonstrated abilities as an innovator in the many facets of opera make him the right choice as San Francisco Opera's next general director, Johnson said at the press conference. "The Board is delighted that he has accepted our invitation to come to San Francisco and lead this historic company into a new era, and to build on the artistic legacy of Pamela Rosenberg and her predecessors."

Association President Karl Mills said, "I am thrilled that David will be joining us. He is one of the leading forces in the opera world today and is very inspiring in both his passion for opera and in his vision for the future and what can be accomplished here in San Francisco. He will build upon the strong traditions of this company for artistic excellence and innovation and will focus on finding new ways to connect with new audiences, while building a growing sense of community about the company and what we do. David's unique combination of artistic and business abilities, combined with the enormous potential of this company and its people, suggests a very exciting future for San Francisco Opera."

Mills went on to acknowledge Pamela Rosenberg's important contribution to this company during her term as general director. "Pamela has made San Francisco Opera one of the companies that everyone watches. She has brought us exciting new works and productions and has raised our expectations for what opera can be when great music, voices and drama all come together. She has also shown remarkable leadership behind the scenes as she has tackled tough economic challenges and put this company back on track for future financial stability and growth."

Commenting on the selection of her successor, the Opera's current General Director Pamela Rosenberg said, "I am delighted to welcome David to this wonderful company, which has a distinguished history and to say how happy I am that he will be part of its exciting future. David is an excellent choice for this company. Under his leadership, Houston Grand Opera has been one of the most innovative forces in American opera. His creativity, ability to engage an audience and commitment to reaching out to the community on behalf of opera, and San Francisco Opera, will be invaluable to this company."

Ms. Rosenberg went on to explain the transition calendar saying, "Although the original plan was for David to take over as General Director on August 1, 2006, we both agreed that it made far more sense for him to take over on January 1, when the Opera is not in a rehearsal and performance period so he can have eight months to prepare for the opening of his first full season in September 2006," Ms. Rosenberg said, "This will enable David to focus on all areas of the Opera's operations."

Ms. Rosenberg continues as San Francisco Opera's general director through the end of 2005. She will then assume a new role as the Company's executive advisor through the end of December 2006 that will include overseeing the Company's summer 2006 productions. As executive advisor, Ms. Rosenberg will be a resource to Mr. Gockley and the Company, providing advice, assisting fundraising and being an ambassador for San Francisco Opera. Ms. Rosenberg announced her decision not to renew her contract with the Opera last June saying she wanted to spend more time focusing her work on new productions and to be closer to her family in Europe.

Maestro Donald Runnicles introduced the general director designate to the press saying, "David Gockley has established himself as a positive force in the opera world. He is well known for being an innovator on stage and for his strong commitment to musical excellence. I look forward to our artistic partnership and continuing the kind of creative collaboration with him that I have been privileged to have with Pamela during her time here."

In his remarks the General Director Designate also thanked the San Francisco Opera saying, "I want to thank Chairman Pitch Johnson and President Karl Mills and particularly George Hume who so capably led the search committee. Their enormous commitment and dedication to San Francisco Opera is inspiring. I am humbled, energized, and excited by the opportunity to lead this company into the future."

Gockley went on to praise both Pamela Rosenberg and Maestro Donald Runnicles for their leadership of the Opera. "I want to acknowledge Pamela for her tremendous wisdom and candor throughout the search and for her incredible artistic vision. I am deeply thankful for her dedication to this company and for her personal friendship." Gockley said that San Francisco Opera is fortunate to have the vibrant musical leadership provided by Maestro Donald Runnicles, "The San Francisco Opera Orchestra and Chorus under his direction are magnificent. It will be a true pleasure to work with them all."

The General Director Designate went on to say that as General Director he would work to create a strong and healthy balance between the new, the progressive, and the classic both in repertory and production styles. "My goal is to maintain artistic excellence while achieving fiscal balance and stability," Gockley said. "San Francisco Opera must attract the finest singers in the world and, at the same time, devote maximum energy towards discovering and nurturing young talent."

A Record of Accomplishment

David Gockley joined Houston Grand Opera in 1970 as the company's business manager. Two years later, at age 27, he became general director.

Credited with transforming the company into a major force in American opera, Gockley has commissioned and produced 32 world premieres, encouraging new artists by establishing the Houston Grand Opera Studio for young artists, led a $72 million capital campaign for the construction of a new opera house, introducing new repertoire and stagings, and raising the overall profile and endowment of the institution.

An Extensive Search Process

George Hume, Chair of the San Francisco Opera Association's Search Committee, expressed his gratitude to the 14 members of the committee for their dedication and hard work.

"The men and women who served with me on the Search Committee did an outstanding job. All of us who care about the future of San Francisco Opera owe them a debt of gratitude," Hume said. "We took our job and the outcome of the search process very seriously. I believe the result speaks for itself."

"From the outset of the search, the Board wanted a committee that reflected a broad spectrum of knowledge and opinions about opera and arts management, including voices from within the Company" Hume explained, "There is no doubt in my mind that the men and women who served on this Search Committee embodied that goal in every way."

According to Hume, men and women from three continents were considered for the position.

"On behalf of the Board and the entire Opera family, I want to thank George Hume and the other members of the Search Committee for their dedication and the thoughtful way they pursued the search," said Mr. Johnson, chair of the Association's Board of Directors. "They did a magnificent job and each of them has our deepest gratitude."


Source: San Francisco Opera

CONTACT: Will Hamilton, +1-415-565-6470, or Melinda Gable,
+1-415-565-6470, both of the San Francisco Opera; or Constance Shuman of
Shuman Associates, +1-212-315-1300, for the San Francisco Opera


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