Opera UpClose has announced the appointment of Abigail Toland as Chairs of the Board of Directors, as well as new trustees John Andrews, Matthew Lyons, and Carolyn Ward.

Toland replaces Jane Earl, who has served as Chair since 2016, as the latter now chairs Sunderland Culture. Under Earl’s leadership, the UK-based company has brought midscale versions of classic operas to over 50 venues in the country.

A founding trustee of Second Movement, which helps support new operas, Toland is credited with creating Rough for Opera, the company’s performance platform which has helped support over 50 composers since 2011.

With a focus on Italian bel canto and English baroque, conductor John Andrews has led performances with Opera Holland Park, Garsington Opera, The Grange Festival, English Touring Opera, and the Volkstheater Rostcock. He works frequently with the BBC Concert Orchestra and English Symphony Orchestra, and is principal guest conductor of the National Symphony Orchestra.

Arts educator Matthew Lyons brings with him over 20 years of experience planning development and outreach for projects, festivals, and music initiatives.

Carolyn Ward has served on the board of organizations such as Yard Theatre in Hackney Wick, Soho Theatre, Help Musicians UK, and the Mayoral post-Olympic charity Legacy List.