Guy Verrall-Withers Leaves Waterperry Opera Festival for The Grange Festival
By David SalazarThe Grange Festival has announced that Guy Verrall-Withers will be the company’s new Director of Audiences and Impact.
In his new role, Verrall-Withers, who is the Artistic Director and CEO of Waterperry Opera Festival, will focus on developing audiences and public engagement as well as expanding the festival’s reach. Supporting him in this effort will be Artistic Director Michael Chance and Director of Learning Susan Hamilton.
“I am delighted to join The Grange Festival at this exciting time of growth and evolution under Tyler’s leadership,” said Verrall-Withers, per an official press release. “The Festival’s commitment to artistic excellence, combined with its stunning historic setting, creates an unparalleled platform for connecting new audiences with transformative arts experiences. I look forward to building on the Festival’s success and working with the team to expand our impact.”
Verrall-Withers begins his work on a part-time basis in the spring before transitioning to full-time as he steps away from his post at the Waterperry Festival, which he co-founded and developed in 2017 alongside Bertie Baigent, the festival’s Music Director, and Rebecca Meltzer, opera director and Co-Director of the Young Artist Programme.
“It is never easy to leave a job you love, least of all when it’s something you have co-created and nurtured over nearly a decade,” Verrall-Withers noted regarding the transition away from Waterperry Opera Festival. “I feel this year’s festival will truly be the best ever, and that’s a good moment for me to pursue a different opportunity. I will leave Waterperry Opera Festival in the good hands of Rebecca and Bertie, supported by the trustees, and the leadership of Ashley Beauchamp Head of Music, and Vivian Stolt our General Manager. I will always have affection for this unique festival and look forward to cheering on whoever the trustees appoint as the new CEO.”
The Waterperry Festival will seek out a replacement for Verall-Withers in a process driven by the Board of Trustees and Chair Judith Tew.
“I would like to join with his co-founders Rebecca Meltzer and Bertie Baigent in thanking Guy for all the energy and effort he has put into the festival. He has contributed so much to establishing what reviewers have admired: the atmosphere of infectious can-do energy at Britain’s youngest opera festival that’s more Glastonbury than Glyndebourne for local people, their children, and opera lovers alike. We shall be sad to see Guy go,” said Tew in a press release issued by the Waterperry Opera Festival. “It’s a testament to the maturity of the organisation Guy leaves behind, and a credit to all the people both on and off stage as well as our financial supporters that we are able to continue to develop the festival with the appointment of a new CEO.”
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