VIENNA (AP) — Franz Welser-Moest is quitting as music director of the Vienna State Opera, citing differences with opera director Dominique Meyer.

Welser-Moest says his resignation is immediate and he will not conduct or participate in any of this year’s 34 productions, leaving one of the world’s premier opera houses scrambling for a replacement. His contract was to run until 2018.

In a letter made public Friday, Welser-Moest says that “differences over artistic issues were not solvable in several meetings.”

Meyer, in a statement, called Welser-Moest’s resignation “a great loss.”

Welser-Moest is also the music director for the Cleveland Orchestra.

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