Breaking: opera chief quits over Christmas
mainPeter Konwitschny, director in chief of Leipzig Opera, quit his job with one week’s notice on Christmas Eve. He will be out by January 1, 2012.
No reason has been given. Konwitschny, 66, called in sick early this month and Verdi’s Macbeth was staged without him. He has been in the post for three years.
Colleagues say they are surprised. General manager Ulf Schirmer stuttered out a few grim words of thanks. More here. I gues it’s one of those human chemistry things.
“Director in chief” is a rather misleading translation as it surely implies he was in overall charge of the House. Konwitschny’s position was principal stage director. Ulf Schirmer, the conductor, is the overall boss.