The Canadian Opera Company has announced that General Director Alexander Neef will be made the new head of the Opéra national de Paris, effective September 2020. Neef will continue in his role with COC until a new General Director is found.

The move comes after Stephane Lissner, the current head at the Opéra national de Paris, announced his departure from the company. France’s Minister of Culture, Roselyne Bachelot-Narquin made a formal request to COC to allow Neef to begin his position with Opera National de Paris earlier than originally intended.

“The COC Board of Directors has agreed to the Minister’s request for an earlier start in Paris for Alexander,” writes COC Board Chair Jonathan Morgan. “We believe he can ably lead both companies in this dual capacity, particularly given the current suspension of fully staged opera in Toronto due to ongoing COVID-19 restrictions.

“In addition to over a decade of inspired leadership, Alexander has recently helped guide the COC through one of the most challenging periods in the company’s history. We are deeply appreciative of his unwavering dedication to the COC and are confident he will excel in leading both companies forward until his successor is fully on board.”