Stuart Maunder has been appointed Artistic Director of State Opera of South Australia, Chair John Irving announced today. Yarmila Alfonzetti has also been announced as Executive Director, joining the company on March 1.

Maunder, who takes up the position after four years as General Director of New Zealand Opera, replaces Timothy Sexton, who stepped down as State Opera SA’s Artistic Director and CEO in May, 2017, citing personal reasons. The company flagged at the time that it would be reviewing its management structure.

Stuart Maunder. Photo © Greg Bowker

Maunder has worked with Opera Australia in many roles – including most recently as Executive Producer – and has experience directing musicals and operas over 30 years. He recently directed Victorian Opera’s Cunning Little Vixen in 2017 as well as the company’s Sweeney Todd in 2015 and Into the Woods the year before. He has also directed a number of productions for State Opera SA.

“This is a great challenge for me – joining a company embarking on a new chapter, whose boldness in programming I have long admired and in a city I have always loved,” said Maunder. “I look...