FIRST OFF . . .

New York City Opera general director Beverly Sills will resign the position Jan. 1, she announced Tuesday. Sills, 59, explained that “10 seasons in a position like this is the right time span. After that, the company should enjoy fresh input from different leadership.” Sills said she will accept the post as president of the opera company if her nomination is approved by its board of directors. Sills said she will remain involved in company fund-raising and marketing. The soprano joined the company in 1955, becoming director in 1979, the year before she retired from the stage. She also said she has no plans to take a new position with another opera company, and pledged to assist in the selection of her successor.