Anthony Freud Leaves Houston Grand Opera

Houston Grand Opera (HGO) today confirmed that General Director and CEO Anthony Freud will be leaving the company to take up the position of General Director of Lyric Opera of Chicago. Freud has served as General Director of Houston Grand Opera since the 2005-06 season.

HGO Board of Directors Chairman Glen Rosenbaum said, "We are enormously proud of the company's achievements under Anthony's leadership these past six seasons. His extraordinary vision and commitment to excellence have made a lasting impact on the company and our community. While we are disappointed that Anthony has chosen to move on to Chicago, we wish him well in his new position."

Rosenbaum continued, "HGO and its Board are working on a management succession plan, which will be announced soon. In the meanwhile, Anthony will continue his work with HGO's Board and senior management to ensure that our future projects proceed smoothly with the artistic excellence that is internationally renowned." He added, "Our strong financial position, due to prudent management and the commitment and generosity of our Board, Trustees, donors and subscribers, has provided us with a solid foundation for the future."

HGO Music Director, Patrick Summers said, "I treasure these past six seasons of working with Anthony, who has at all times been an exemplary colleague, mentor, arts leader, and a man of rare integrity. Anthony embraces change with grace, for he knows both how enervating and how rewarding it can be; I wish him the very best for his exciting new endeavors in the Windy City."
Anthony Freud was appointed as Houston Grand Opera's third General Director and first CEO in July 2005 and joined the company in March 2006. Under Anthony Freud and HGO Music Director Patrick Summers, the company has continued its long tradition of innovation, including mounting 14 new productions and co-productions, including four commissioned world premieres.

Anthony Freud has played an integral role in the company's community outreach initiative, HGOco, which has reached more than 600,000 people during its first three years of activities. In 2009, HGOco's Song of Houston program won the Leading Lights Diversity Award from the National MultiCultural Institute.

Mr. Freud said, "I have loved every moment of my time here at Houston Grand Opera. It is a great company and it has been an honor and a privilege to be a part of it. A highlight of my time here has been my close collaboration with Music Director Patrick Summers, which has been enormously satisfying, energizing and stimulating."

He continued, "HGO has long been a standard bearer of artistic and musical excellence. The company has a proud heritage and an exciting future. It has been an honor to be at the helm of an organization that represents the highest levels of creative achievement. My deepest thanks and admiration go to Patrick Summers, HGO senior management, and the whole company together with the Board and Trustees. I will continue to take a keen interest in the work of HGO and am confident that it will continue to go from strength to strength as it enters its next exciting chapter."