In Memoriam: 1928–2022

Plato Karayanis, former longtime general director of The Dallas Opera and chairman of OPERA America’s Board of Directors from 1993 to 1996, passed away on April 29 at the age of 93. Born on December 26, 1928, in Pittsburgh, Karayanis studied voice at Carnegie Mellon University and graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in 1952. He continued his opera studies with the legendary Boris Goldovsky at the Berkshire Music Festival (now Tanglewood) before attending the Curtis Institute in Philadelphia, where he graduated with an Artist Diploma in 1956. While at Curtis, he met his future wife, the mezzo-soprano Dorothy Krebill, who went on to enjoy a stage career at Lyric Opera of Chicago and other noteworthy companies.

Karayanis began his long career in opera, onstage and behind the scenes, as a lyric baritone in the United States and Europe before pursuing opportunities as a stage manager, director, and administrator. In 1964, he joined the rehearsal department at San Francisco Opera and later toured with the Metropolitan Opera National Company as an assistant stage manager and administrative assistant. In 1977, he became general director of The Dallas Opera, where he is credited with growing and strengthening the company’s relationship with its board, artists, staff, audience, and donors. During his 23-year tenure with the company, Karayanis increased the number of annual productions from three to six; bolstered the company’s global reputation by bringing in internationally renowned artists, including Cecilia Bartoli and Alfredo Kraus; and greatly expanded the company’s repertoire with new productions of works by Janáček, Strauss, Falla, Barber, Argento, Britten, and Handel.

“Plato was a vibrant, passionate, and extremely thoughtful leader,” says Ian Derrer, general director and CEO at The Dallas Opera. “Our sincerest sympathies go out to his beloved wife, Dorothy, and their family.”

Following his retirement from The Dallas Opera in 2000, Karayanis was an artistic consultant with Palm Beach Opera for six years and acted as the company’s interim general director for a short period. He was also instrumental in the development of OPERA San Antonio, where, as interim general director and CEO from 2013 to 2014, he helped the company plan its first season.

Karayanis was among OPERA America’s distinguished board chairs and played a significant role in building the organization. OPERA America’s president/ CEO, Marc A. Scorca, explained: “When I became OPERA America’s president/CEO in 1990, membership was restricted to Professional Company Members, with almost exclusive focus on the general directors of these companies. Plato was our board chair at the time we approved a strategic plan to introduce services for other organizational members and the many trustees and artists who support the field and shape the art form. His vision and leadership opened a new chapter in the history of OPERA America. Even after his retirement, he was an energetic advocate for openness, transparency, and new ideas. His optimism about opera never faded.”

After relocating to Santa Fe, Karayanis served on the board of Santa Fe Opera from 2002 to 2013, and as an honorary director from 2015 until his death.