Fort Worth Opera general director resigns
Florence Lockheart
Thursday, October 27, 2022
Afton Battle will step down next month after two years in the role
Fort Worth Opera (FWO) has announced the departure of its general and artistic director, Afton Battle, after two years in the role. Battle’s resignation will be effective from 23 November and an acting general director has not yet been announced.
Battle told the FWO board of directors she intended to resign in July of this year but stayed with the company until next month to oversee the opening of FWO’s 76th season. In a letter released by FWO on 25 October, Battle hinted at her next career steps, writing: ‘I am starting a new chapter in my career that will be announced soon.’
In her letter, Battle also said: ‘My goal was to build The People’s Company. Because of the hard work of our staff, Fort Worth Opera has seen tremendous growth in its local and national footprint. We have increased and diversified our audiences, our board, our donors, our funders, our external partners and, most importantly, we have built a company that is truly reflective of the community we serve.’
Appointed in September 2020, Battle was FWO’s first black female director across its 76-year history after her predecessor, Tuomas Hiltunen had resigned after two seasons. Artistic director Joe Illick left in June 2022, at which point Battle took on the role of both general and artistic director.
Battle oversaw the company’s transition from a festival format to a year-long season following the cancellation of its 2020 season. This cancellation also triggered drastic measures to get the company back on an even financial keel, with an expensive production of Wagner’s Das Rheingold cut and smaller chamber-style works, and opera concerts prioritised.
Projects overseen by Battle during her time with FWO include the introduction of the company's annual celebration of Black History Month, A Night of Black Excellence, the return of Noches de Ópera, Fort Worth Opera's celebration of Spanish-language operas and Latino(a) culture, heritage, and artistry as well as the expansion of FWO’s Children’s Opera Theatre which serves students in North Texas.