Opera Australia's long-standing artistic director has quit effective immediately following a slew of resignations at the arts company.
Lyndon Terracini had planned to see out his contract until the end of 2023 but today Opera Australia announced he would step down now.
The operatic baritone said it was the right time to leave as he wanted to explore other opportunities in Australia and overseas.
"I've got other things that I'm talking to people about and one would be a conflict of interest with Opera Australia," he said.
"I think we all agree it's probably a good time for me to go, with the new artistic director coming in and I'm free to pursue the next phase of my life."
Mr Terracini's departure follows the recent high-profile resignations of the company's technical director, marketing director and concertmaster.
Chairman Glyn Davis also left to work for the Department of Prime Minister in May and last year chief executive Rory Jeffes stepped down as CEO which he described as a "personal decision".
Despite reports of relationship breakdowns at Opera Australia, a spokesperson told the ABC the resignations were all purely coincidental.
However, allegations of infighting have surrounded the performing arts company for some time as it works to recover the major losses it incurred during the pandemic.
One report alleged that tensions between Mr Terracini and a cast member had boiled over during the current production of Phantom of the Opera in Sydney.
But Mr Terracini told the ABC that was resolved "a long time ago".
"You'll always have a disagreement, in any area, and obviously in the arts, people always have an opinion about something," he said.
Mr Terracini also said he had been surprised by an internal survey which found many staff felt there was a bullying problem at the company.
"I haven't witnessed any of that ... I'm mainly in the theatre and we're focused on getting the show on, there's no time for anything else."
"We haven't had any turnover in the productions.
"I know a lot of people have left but I suppose that's the normal sort of way things go."
Mr Terracini had been at the artistic helm of the company for 13 years and is leaving at the height of the company's success, having more than doubled the company's turnover.
"This year will be the most successful year in the company's history," he told the ABC.
"We've already sold $83 million worth of tickets and we have three months to go so I'm confident we'll get to $100 million in ticket sales this year which is phenomenal for any opera company on the planet."
Mr Terracini said ticket sales got a huge boost during his tenure due to the "democratising" of opera.
"You need to have a very, broad repertoire to play to as many audiences as you can ... people want to come to the theatre and see something really exceptional."
During his time as artistic director, many operas were modernised with digital sets, backdrops and technology.
The highly successful outdoor opera spectacular Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour was created and several new Australian works were commissioned.
Big name operas like Evita, Phantom of the Opera, West Side Story and My Fair Lady were also brought to Australia.
