L-R: David C. Ferguson; Perryn Leech (Photos courtesy of the Canadian Opera Company)

“The Canadian Opera Company (COC) is today announcing that General Director Perryn Leech will be moving on from the organization by mutual agreement.”

In a surprising move, Perryn Leech, till today the General Director and leader of the Canadian Opera Company, has stepped down from his position “effective immediately”. The move was announced by Jonathan Morgan, Chair, COC Board of Directors in a statement posted to the website today, June 12.

David C. Ferguson has been appointed as the Interim General Director. Ferguson is the former president and chair of the COC Board of Directors.

“David brings a strong record of professional accomplishment to this interim role and has a commitment to the COC that extends to his time as both President and Chair of the Board of Directors. Prior to his retirement, David served as Executive Managing Director and Chief Financial Officer of BMO Capital Markets,” Morgan continues in the statement.

David Ferguson is a long time opera supporter with a background in finance. Prior to his retirement, he was the Executive Managing Director and Chief Financial Officer of BMO Capital Markets. He holds Bachelor of Commerce and MBA degrees from the University of Toronto.

No reason was given for the abrupt announcement. Perryn began his tenure at the COC in 2021, during the pandemic, and inherited the economic uncertainty that goes along with it.

Perryn came to the COC after a stint at the Houston Grand Opera, as the result of a year-long search after the departure of Alexander Neef. The native of Brighton, England has spent the better part of four decades in the world of opera. He began at the Houston Grand Opera in 2007 as a technical and production manager, and was appointed managing director in 2011.

Recently, the COC announced that it would be mounting the Houston Grand Opera production of Madama Butterfly, rather than creating an original production, and another production was postponed, signs that the company’s finances are a matter of concern.

Along with thanking Leech for his three years with the COC, Morgan’s statement includes a commitment to artistic excellence, and stability while the organization searches for a replacement.

“Beyond Mr. Morgan’s comments, the Canadian Opera Company has nothing further to add regarding matters of personnel,” Avril Sequeira, a COC spokesperson, told the Toronto Star.”

There is sure to be more to come in this developing story.