DiCHIERA IS NAMED DIRECTOR

David DiChiera, general director of the Michigan Opera Theatre in Detroit, has been named general director of Opera Pacific, a Costa Mesa-based organization that seeks to produce opera and musical theater at the new Orange County Performing Arts Center, The Times learned Sunday.

Although DiChiera, 49, is expected to remain with the Detroit company, which he founded in 1970, he also will run the Orange County organization, effective immediately. DiChiera said he will spend up to 25 weeks this year with Opera Pacific.

“We not only want to play the (Orange County) center by 1987, but also to possibly do collaborative productions in Los Angeles and other areas,” DiChiera said Sunday in Costa Mesa, adding that he has talked with officials at the Los Angeles Music Opera Assn. and San Diego Opera about exploring such joint ventures.

However, he said that Opera Pacific has not yet entered into contract talks with the Orange County Performing Arts Center for the center’s opening 1986-87 season. The center, now negotiating for a 1987 run by New York City Opera, is currently concentrating on booking nationally known touring companies.

DiChiera said that Opera Pacific will need a budget of at least $3 million by 1987 for a “full-fledged program of producing and community outreach, as well as audience development.”