In a media release, Vancouver Opera has announced the appointment of Tom Wright as its new general director.
Wright has been the interim general director for the professional opera company since the departure of Kim Gaynor in late 2019.
As with many arts organizations worldwide, the Vancouver Opera was forced to cancel the remainder of its 2019/2020 season on March 13 due to COVID-19, including its production Another Brick in the Wall: The Opera and this year’s Vancouver Opera Festival.
“With my experience at Vancouver Opera, I am well aware of the current challenges our organization, along with many others, will face in the coming months,” says Wright in the media release.
Before becoming the interim general director at Vancouver Opera, Wright had worked for thirteen seasons as Vancouver Opera’s director artistic planning. During that time, he oversaw the creation of over 50 opera productions and new opera commissions. Wright also helped establish the Yulanda M. Faris Young Artists Program, which provides a bridge for rising young Canadian opera artists between formal academic programs and the professional world.
Before joining Vancouver Opera, Wright was director of artistic planning for Arizona Opera and the director of production for Calgary Opera. Growing up in North Vancouver, Wright trained at the Banff School of Fine Arts and apprenticed at several Canadian theatre and opera companies.
“With thirteen seasons as Vancouver Opera’s director of artistic planning and his exemplary leadership during our 2019–2020 season, Tom Wright is the clear candidate to oversee Vancouver Opera as it navigates unprecedented territory alongside numerous other Canadian arts organizations,” says Vancouver Opera board chair Bill Maclagan.