Faced with a lack of funding, the company has launched a major fundraising campaign to ensure its continued survival.

As reported by Limelight in early August, Pacific Opera was to be shut down by its board due to a lack of financial support. The company has now confirmed this news, announcing it is at risk of closure due to insufficient private donations, its primary source of funding. An invaluable programme for young singers to develop their vocal and performance skills, Pacific Opera’s potential closure represents a significant blow to the Australian arts sector. Many of its singers have gone on to perform with Opera Australia and numerous other international companies. The organisation has not been inactive in the face of this news, however, working to gather support from the public and launching a fundraising campaign in order to ensure its continued survival.

Pacific Opera, billed as “the Young Artists’ opera company”, was founded by former Opera Australia principal, Christine Douglas, who has had a hand in the professional development of more than 120 singers over the past decade. The organisation has also operated as a training ground for a variety of emerging performing arts professionals hoping for a...