Low Note

Austin Opera fires artistic director for alleged inappropriate behavior

Richard Buckley's contract with the Austin Opera has been terminated.

Photo courtesy of Austin Lyric Opera

Richard Buckley, Austin Opera's longstanding artistic director, has been fired for alleged inappropriate behavior. In a very brief statement, the organization announced that it has terminated Buckley's contract, effective immediately. Buckley, who also served as principal conductor, spent 13 seasons with the Austin Opera.

According to the statement, Buckley's termination was due to "inappropriate behavior" on the part of the conductor. "Following an investigation conducted by Austin Opera and outside counsel, it was determined that inappropriate behavior in violation of the company’s policy on harassment had occurred that was not consistent with the values and standards of Austin Opera."

The organization has said that it will not elaborate on the events that led to Buckley's firing. His biography has been removed from the Austin Opera website.

Prior to Austin, Buckley performed with such companies as the New York City Opera, the Houston Opera, and the Los Angeles Opera.

Read the full statement from the Austin Opera below:

Austin Opera has terminated the employment contract of Principal Conductor & Artistic Director Richard Buckley, effective immediately. Following an investigation conducted by Austin Opera and outside counsel, it was determined that inappropriate behavior in violation of the company’s policy on harassment had occurred that was not consistent with the values and standards of Austin Opera.

Austin Opera will take steps to ensure that those impacted by this conduct have access to any support they may need. Out of respect for those affected by this conduct, Austin Opera trustees and staff will not be disclosing any further details about the incidents that occurred.

The performances of Ariadne auf Naxos on Thursday, February 1 and Sunday, February 4 will go on as scheduled with conductor Robert Mollicone.

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Historic Austin museum will close for more than a year for restoration

Photo courtesy of the City of Austin

The Elisabet Ney Museum will close at the end of 2024 and reopen in mid-2026.

Every building needs some maintenance here or there, and the historic Elisabet Ney Museum needs some extra-special care. Formerly the art studio and residence of its namesake, it's been standing since 1892. It'll spend 2025 in relative solitude, as it undergoes renovation for a year and a half with no visitors allowed.

The museum will close to the public December 30, 2024, and open again in the summer of 2026 if all goes according to plan, a news release from the City of Austin shares. It'll be a quiet period compared to the 21,000 people visiting from around the world each year.

According to a museum overview on the city's website, Elisabet Ney, a European portrait sculptor, bought the property and called her new studio Formosa. She worked on sculptures depicting important Texans like Stephen F. Austin and Sam Houston, and collected works of European contemporaries.

The building at 304 East 44th St. includes 3,700 square feet of museum space, which was converted by Ney's friends after her death in 1907. It retains its unique look that juxtaposes a Neo-Classical main studio from 1892 with a later addition from 1902 including a tower for her husband, Edmund, to write in. It is also on 2.5 acres of land, which has largely been restored to its natural state with native species.

A press release lists these tasks (verbatim) within the scope of the new work, referred to as the Capital Improvement Project (CIP):

Restoration of original exterior wood doors and windows
Upgrades and replacement of the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system
Replacement of the exhibit and general lighting systems
Repairs to the roof, masonry, plumbing, and interior finishes.

There will also be work to do outside of the building. Workers will replace the pedestrian bridge across Waller Creek, stabilize a 20,000-square-foot portion of the bank, and make the grounds more accessible by adding new pathways.

Funding comes from several sources, according to a release: "the 2012 Bond, Proposition 14, the Parkland Dedication Fund, the Historic Preservation Fund, Partners in Preservation through the National Trust, and contributions from the Friends of the Elisabet Ney Museum."

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