The Long Beach Opera has announced the departure of Andreas Mitisek as General Director at the close of the company’s 2020 season.

Per a press release, Mitisek decided not to renew his contract. He has been with the company for the past 17 years and is expected to continue his career as a freelance director in both the U.S. and Europe. He will be invited back to the company to work as a freelance artist.

Mitisek became the principal conductor of the company in 1998 and then took over as Artistic and General Director in 2003. Under his leadership, the company went from performing two operas per season to five and even managed to grow the budget from $430,000 to over $1.6 million in 2018.

“My life, my thinking, my work, my relationships have been defined by Long Beach Opera and have also defined LBO,” Mitisek stated in a press release. “It’s time now to embark on new adventures, and for LBO to have new artistic leadership as well. I am pleased to be able to leave the company in the very capable and passionate hands of its leadership, including Jennifer Rivera, Executive Director and C.E.O. and Board President Dr. Robert Braun.”

The company is currently seeking out the next Artistic Director.