State Opera of South Australia Artistic Director and CEO Timothy Sexton has resigned from the company, citing personal reasons. Sexton, whose association with the company as a singer, chorus master and conductor spanned 20 years before he took the reins as AD and chief executive in 2011, stood down suddenly on Friday, The Advertiser reported.

SOSA chairman John Irving has taken over the executive role as an interim arrangement and the company has reportedly sought assistance from the Australia Council for the Arts to bring forward a planned review of operations before appointing a replacement.

Sexton apparently spoke with Irving ahead of his departure. “Tim approached me last week and advised that for personal reasons he was going to resign. I spoke with him at length and agreed with him that was the appropriate course,” Irving told Limelight. “Tim’s issues are personal and not related to the company. I will step in on a part time basis to support the staff and it will otherwise be business as usual. The Company’s balance sheet is strong and we anticipate finishing the current financial year around the break even mark.”

“The program for 2018 is well developed and will be finalised...