A major budget shortfall has forced Opera Colorado to reduce its upcoming season from three mainstage productions to two, Marketing Director Jennifer Colgan said Thursday.

She also confirmed that following the 2024-25 season, the company will have its first leadership transition in two decades.

“The previously announced production of Verdi’s “Il trovatore” has been removed from the mainstage lineup, and will be replaced with another program to be announced in September,” the company said in a statement posted to its website.

Also, the company has sent a letter to subscribers confirming that, after 20 years with Opera Colorado, Greg Carpenter will step down as both general and artistic director at the end of the 2024-25 season to pursue other opportunities.

“Opera Colorado is committed to ensuring a seamless transition,” she said, adding that the board of directors will begin a search for Carpenter’s successor in the fall.

The 2024-25 season is still set to begin Nov. 9 with Donizetti’s “Daughter of the Regiment” and continue Feb. 22, 2025, with Puccini’s “La Boheme” in the Ellie Caulkins Opera House. “Il trovatore” had been announced to end the season from May 3-11, 2025.

“We found ourselves in a difficult financial environment.” Colgan told The Denver Gazette. The company has separately told subscribers that the decision to cut “Il trovatore” was a strategic, cost-cutting move that was being made “as part of our commitment to sustainability and artistic excellence.

“This change allows us to focus our resources on delivering two exceptional, fully staged productions, ensuring that we continue to provide high-quality opera experiences for our community.”

Opera Colorado’s annual operating budget is $7.6 million, Colgan said. Ticket sales can contribute up to $2 million, with the remaining balance dependent on contributed revenue and other sources. “Ticket sales remain steady and subscriptions are growing, reflecting the support and enthusiasm of our audience,” she said.

“However, donations and ticket sales are falling short of what we need to present a three-opera mainstage season and combat the 40% increase in production costs that opera companies are seeing nationwide,” she added, citing research by Opera America.

Whatever the replacement for Verdi’s “Il trovatore” turns out to be next spring, it will not be a fully staged production. Because the cast of principal singers is already under contract for “Trovatore,” Colgan could not discount the possibility that some of those singers, including Alexandra LoBianco, Deborah Nansteel, Roberto de Biasio, Young Bok Kim and Ricardo Josê Rivera, might figure in the rescheduled spring program or programs.

Colgan said that because subscriptions have been sold promising three productions, they will be offered options for refunds or credits for the reduced season. Tickets and information are available at operacolorado.org.