LOS ANGELES – Less than a week after the board of the San Diego Opera reaffirmed its decision to shut it down, the embattled company was hit with a new wave of turmoil on Thursday as Karen Cohn, the president of the board, led a contingent of 13 board members in resigning.
Carol Lazier, a board member who had donated $1 million to finding ways to keep the opera viable, was named acting president. The board voted to delay the scheduled April 29 closing of the opera, until May 19, to give a committee on the board time to “to explore opportunities to continue the Opera Association’s mission.”
Ms. Cohn had been a leading voice arguing that diminishing attendance and revenue left the 49-year-old company no other choice but to close down; the final scheduled performance was last Sunday.
The board has faced resistance from performers and community members who have pressed the company to stay in operation and find new ways to make up the budget shortfall.
“We have a devoted staff, an energized association and a board newly focused on finding novel and fiscally responsible ways to present great opera to the city of San Diego,” Ms. Lanzier said. “I have been deeply encouraged by the outpouring of public support, and the genuine and enthusiastic participation by the San Diego Symphony, Opera America, and the opera world.”