Nicolas Mansfield, General Manager and Artistic Director is leaving the Dutch National Touring Opera. This decision was taken after mutual consultation between Mansfield and the Supervisory Board.
Mansfield’s tenure dates from 2013 when he inherited leadership of the Touring Opera following a subsidy reduction of 60% as part of national cuts to culture funding. Under his leadership the Touring Opera flourished. Mansfield transformed the Touring Opera into a leading company which received (inter)national recognition for the quality of its opera productions.
Visitor figures have risen steadily, reaching a peak of 65,306 in 2019. As of 2021 the Touring Opera has been allocated extra funding from the Ministry of Culture. Recently, the offices and workshops have relocated to the city centre of Enschede, and the company has secured regular performances at the Royal Carré Theatre in Amsterdam.
Mansfield said, ”It has been a privilege and honour to lead the Dutch National Touring Opera through these years of its history. My pride in our productions in recent years is as great as my conviction that the Touring Opera has secured its place in the cultural landscape of The Netherlands. It is my belief that it is now time for new leadership and artistic inspiration to take the Touring Opera further along the chosen road. For myself the moment has arrived to close this book and continue my journey elsewhere. I am deeply grateful to everyone who has contributed to our success through the years, including our faithful public.”
Paul Doop, Chairman of the Supervisory Board said, ”Nicolas has been unceasing in his energy and commitment to producing high quality opera accessible to a broad public. We are very grateful to him for his results and will continue down this path. We wish him a bright and successful future.”
The procedure to look for a worthy successor has been initiated. As of 1st October 2020, the Supervisory Board has appointed Bart van Meijl as Interim Director.
