Paris Opera ‘on its knees’ – a leadership vacuum looming with theatres shut and losses of US$45 million

Alexander Neef, due to take the helm in Paris in mid-2021, is unsure he can leave the Canadian Opera Company early to replace director who will leave in January

The company is in crisis, with both opera houses shut, 100 productions scrapped, and losses of US$45 million from a workers’ strike and coronavirus lockdown

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The shock exit of outgoing director Stephane Lissner (pictured) seven months earlier than planned puts the future of Paris Opera in doubt. Photo: Paris Opera

Published: 6:45pm, 16 Jun 2020Updated: 7:00pm, 16 Jun 2020

The troubled Paris Opera in France appeared to be in a shambles after its incoming director said no one told him he was starting seven months earlier than planned.

Departing director Stephane Lissner dropped a bombshell last week by saying he was leaving seven months early in January, and that Europe’s biggest opera and ballet company was “on its knees”.

But his successor, Alexander Neef – who was to take over in July 2021 – said he knew nothing of Lissner’s early exit until two days ago.

And he cast doubt on whether he would be able to immediately step into his shoes – just as the opera faces one of the biggest crises in its 350-year history.

Alexander Neef said he was “committed” to helping COC, which he has led since 2008. Photo: AFP

Lissner made headlines last Thursday by saying that the company’s two opera houses would not reopen until the end of the year and that it was running out of money, having lost €40 million (US$45 million) owing to the coronavirus epidemic and a historic two-month-long strike.