Opera Boston has a $2.5 million annual operating budget compared with Boston Lyric Opera’s $6.7 million budget. BLO, which produces more mainstream operas, is financially sound, according to the company.
John Hess, who teaches English at the University of Massachusetts Boston and has subscribed to both opera companies for years, said he was saddened by Opera Boston’s closing. “You get the chestnuts in one company, and the more adventurous with Opera Boston; you don’t usually get to see the things they do.’’
Opera Boston’s demise comes after a conflict within the organization’s leadership. At least six of 17 members of the board of directors did not attend the Tuesday night meeting during which the vote was taken to disband the company.
Lesley Koenig, who succeeded Charnow as general director in January, was in California Thursday when she received a call from chairman Winifred Gray and president Gregory E. Bulger telling her that her job, and eight others, would be eliminated Dec. 31.
Koenig, in an interview yesterday, said she disagreed with the decision to shut down Opera Boston, and that the company could have been saved.
“This is a tragedy for Boston,’’ said Koenig. “I came in and made every effort to bring the institution to the next stage. And I’m very sorry the board has made this decision.’’
Stephen M. Weiner, one of a group of board members who recently resigned, said he agreed with Koenig that Opera Boston could have survived. He said he resigned over disagreements with the board’s leadership and the unwillingness by longtime members to allow newer board members to help work on the company’s financial problems.
“There were a number of people who, once they began to realize there was a financial problem, wished to have it addressed,’’ said Weiner. “They were not consulted.’’
Bulger said he would not discuss the board split and termed it a “private issue.’’
