New Director/CEO for Sydney Festival 2010-12 |
Chair of Sydney Festival, Lord Mayor Clover Moore today announced Lindy Hume as the Festival Director/CEO for Sydney Festival 2010-12.
The Lord Mayor said, "Sydney Festival takes another important step with Lindy Humes appointment.
"Lindys combined experience of being a theatre artist and festival director should bring new opportunities for the Festival to explore creative expression, while continuing to delight, challenge and inspire Sydneysiders during January. I look forward to her first Festival program."
NSW Premier Morris Iemma, who is also Festival President, congratulated Lindy Hume on her appointment.
"Lindy is one of the most creative leaders in the country,"Mr Iemma said. "I very much look forward to Sydney Festival continuing to grow under her leadership and guidance. I welcome her back to the city of her birth to drive this internationally significant arts festival."
Lindy Hume is one of Australias leading directors and will be the first practising artist at the helm of Sydney Festival. In 1992 she became the first Artistic Director of the West Australian Opera. In 1996 she was appointed Artistic Director of the Victoria State Opera and then subsequently OzOpera which she led until 2001.
Humes most recent role was Artistic Director of Perth International Arts Festival (2004-07), where she took the Festival to new heights in both scale and box office, presenting a diverse range of artists and companies including Robert Lepage (Canada), NeedCompany (Belgium), Druid Theatre (Ireland), Propeller (UK), Akram Khan (UK), Sarah Bernhard (USA), Pat Metheny (USA), Cloud Gate Dance Theatre of Taiwan, the Prague Chamber Orchestra and The Gotan Project (Argentina/France).
Humes strong international programming for Perth International Arts Festival was complemented by an equally exceptional list of Australian artists and companies.
HUmes commitment to new Australian work was underpinned by a bold commissioning program and her years in Perth were also characterised by a particular focus on WA Indigenous cultures and the creation of free community events.
Hume has directed more than 50 major productions throughout Australia, New Zealand, Europe and America. Highlights of her career include the award-winning 2007 World Premiere of Richard Mills / Timberlake Wertenbakers opera The Love of the Nightingale, following the success of Mills Batavia for Opera Australia at the 2001 Melbourne and 2004 Perth Festivals.
Critically acclaimed European productions include La Boheme for Deutsche Staatsoper Berlin (broadcast live through Europe), Tolomeo for Musiektheatre Transparent (Belgium) and Brittens Albert Herring and Phaedra for Aldeburgh Festival, UK.
In 2004 Hume made her American debut, directing The Barber of Seville for Houston Grand Opera, where she will return for Rigoletto in 2009.
Hume has won numerous awards including a Robert Helpmann Award for Best Director (Batavia, 2001); and an Australia Council Theatre Board Fellowship (2007-09). She has served on a number of boards and panels including the West Australian Academy of Performing Arts, and Australia Council New Australian Stories. In 2007 the University of WA awarded her the Honorary Degree of Doctor of Letters.
Lindy Hume said today, "The prospect of directing the 2010-2012 Sydney Festivals is thrilling. Every January, Sydney Festival embeds itself more deeply into the cultural, civic and social fabric of Sydney and gives creative expression to our beautiful citys spirit and imagination.
"Celebrating the most dynamic contemporary artists and companies from around Australia and the world, Sydney Festival is an important landmark in the national arts landscape and a prestigious international cultural forum.
"The Festivals impressive history has been strengthened under the current leadership of Fergus Linehan whose bold programming initiatives have engaged so many new audiences. I look forward to returning to my hometown to work with Josephine Ridge and the Sydney Festival team; and with the Festivals many supporters and stakeholders on this next phase of its life."
Sydney Festival is Australias largest annual arts festival, showcasing a broad spectrum of Australian and international dance, theatre, visual arts and music. Hume will take the reins from Fergus Linehan, who has directed Sydney Festival since 2006, with 2009 being his fourth and final Festival.
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➼ New Director/CEO for Sydney Festival 2010-12
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