The Board of Sydney’s “Young Artist’s opera company” has taken the decision to close the organisation by the end of the year.

Christine Douglas, the founding artistic director of Pacific Opera (PO), posted news on Facebook today that the Company is to be shut down by its Board. Douglas, a former Opera Australia principal singer, established PO in 2003 as a company limited by guarantee, with a Board of business and professional people. Describing itself as “the Young Artists’ opera company”, PO has provided performance opportunities and training for emerging artists.

In response to comments on her Facebook page, asking why the Company was closing, Douglas wrote: “Boards need to fundraise. If they don’t or can’t, this is what happens. No amount of artistic success, or careers launched means a thing to the longevity of a company to if there is insufficient financial support… apparently.”

Trish Carroll, Chair of the Board, delivered the news to staff and supporters of the Company as part of a speech at a PO dinner last night, which was attended by Board members Amelia Farrugia, Mark Ferris, Ian Hutchison, Stephen Parbery and George Palmer, long-time Chair of Pacific Opera and now Patron of the Company. Operations...