Japanese billionaire Haruhisa Handa has announced that he will cease to be patron-in-chief of Opera Australia.

The rupture occurred due to disagreements over funding and programming. This marks the end a 15-year association that included more than $15 million in donations and the creation of an annual outdoor opera on Sydney Harbour.

Opera Australia’s contract with Handa’s Tokyo-based International Foundation for Arts and Culture (IFAC) formally ends on Dec. 31.

The company announced that  its revival of “Aida” starting in March will be shown at the formally known “Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour.” However, Handa’s name will appear in 2027 as the major sponsor of a regional opera festival.

In a statement Opera Australia said, “Opera Australia is proud of what has been achieved over the past 15 years and is deeply grateful to Dr Haruhisa Handa and IFAC for their vision and long-standing commitment.” It added, “Opera Australia will continue this commitment to exploring new opportunities and operatic endeavours and nurturing emerging Australian artists.”

This season Opera Australia is set to present productions of “La Boheme,” ‘The Magic Flute,” “My Fair Lady,” and “Les Miserables.”