Cossa was named general director of Glimmerglass Opera in December 2002 and assumed her duties on April 1, 2003, following a long tenure as executive vice president of Symphony Space, a multi-disciplinary performing arts organization in New York City.

"With regret and sadness, I have concluded that personal circumstances - specifically the illness of two family members - require that I remain in New York City indefinitely and prevent me from giving my full attention to the demanding job of general director. Under the circumstances, I felt it best for the company that I resign my position," Cossa said. "This was a very difficult decision, particularly after a season that took Glimmerglass to new artistic heights. I shall miss terribly devoting myself to a company I have always admired and have come to love. Glimmerglass's strengths are many and its joys are unique, and I am grateful that I had a brief opportunity to be associated with it."

Schlather said, "The Board of Trustees has accepted Joanne's resignation with great regret. She has led the company during two of the most successful seasons in its history. She was making great progress toward fulfillment of the terms of an endowment matching grant challenge and has been instrumental in attracting new members to the Board of Trustees. We are forming a committee to undertake the search for Joanne's successor. We know it will not be easy, but we are confident that we will find someone to build upon her contributions and lead Glimmerglass Opera into a new era of growth and accomplishment. In the interim, Jeryl Dropp, managing director, and Paul Griswold, director of finance, will be responsible for administration of the company."