Farewell, Anne Ewers

After a long tenure as general director of the Utah Opera, Anne Ewers assumed the leadership of the merged Utah Symphony & Opera in 2002. No one can say that Ewers doesn't like a challenge. The merger of the arts organizations was unprecedented. After the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks that prompted many people to rein in their personal spending, the merged organization struggled financially. To further complicate matters, some patrons of the respective organizations pulled their support in protest of the merger. Ewers led a staged recovery effort, now in its third year and exceeding expectations.

With the organization back on more sound financial footing, Ewers now is taking on a new challenge as president and chief executive officer of the Kimmel Center in Philadelphia. She assumes that position on July 9. The Kimmel Center owns and oversees several arts venues, including the Verizon Center and the 150-year-old Academy of the Arts. It brings in the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra and a wide array of Broadway productions. The center also is home to eight resident arts companies.

Ewers, legendary for her tireless work ethic, established the Deer Valley Music Festival with Utah Symphony Director Keith Lockhart. Now in its third year, the festival accounts for a large percentage of the US&O's annual ticket sales and has added nearly $2 million to its bottom line. It has played a key role in the organization's financial recovery.

Ewers' departure comes as the US&O continues to dig itself out of debt. There is some concern that Ewers' exit will leave a leadership vacuum at a critical juncture in the debt-reduction plan. In truth, it is somewhat remarkable that Ewers hasn't been lured away with the promise of a better offer until now. The pain of attracting strong and talented leaders to midsize states such as Utah is they become known on the national stage and they are heavily recruited to go elsewhere.

To hear Ewers tell it, she wasn't actively seeking a new career. But when the perfect opportunity presented itself, she accepted.

It's Philadelphia's gain, no question.

The community owes Ewers a hearty congratulations and thanks for her strong leadership in weathering the merger and deficits, and for ensuring the symphony and opera each has continued to produce world-class productions. The board of directors of the US&O has big shoes to fill.