Opera House chief's bolt from the blue

Mary Allen, the new head of the Royal Opera House, spoke yesterday for the first time about the surprise resignation of ROH chief executive Genista MacIntosh, and her own sudden appointment to the job.

Mrs Allen, secretary-general of the Arts Council, hinted that she was embarrassed that the post had not been advertised, and that she had been "devastated" by Miss MacIntosh's resignation, after just four months, because of ill health.

She said she had been on the selection panel that chose Miss MacIntosh to succeed Jeremy Isaacs last year, contradicting reports that she had herself been an applicant.

Mrs Allen's current salary of pounds 63,500 is likely to increase by around pounds 40,000 when she takes over at the ROH in September. Speaking in Cannes yesterday, where she had come for the announcement of the National Lottery film awards, she said her appointment had come as a "bolt from the blue".

"I was devastated by Jenny's resignation. It was totally out of the blue. I was very upset, because I was so thrilled when she was appointed. What saddens me is that she is one of the most brilliant arts managers this country has. But I have been told that she is seriously ill. I haven't seen her since her resignation but I have written to her.

"I was approached 10 days ago and told Jenny might resign. I said I would only take the job on the absolute condition that the whole board was enthusiastic."

Mrs Allen ridiculed suggestions that Miss MacIntosh had fallen out with the ROH chairman Lord Chadlington, the former Arts Council Lottery Board chairman Peter Gummer. "Peter is the kindest, most supportive colleague. Peter desperately tried to persuade Jenny not to resign."

On the question of seat prices, which Miss McIntosh was determined to reduce to increase access, Mrs Allen was ambivalent. She said: "Any sensible person would say we have go to have prices as low as possible. But any sensible person would also say we have to balance the books. And any sensible person would add that we have to keep putting on opera and ballet of the highest quality."