We are excited to announce the appointment of James Robinson as Seattle Opera’s next General and Artistic Director. Robinson begins his tenure on September 4, 2024, replacing Christina Scheppelmann, who previously announced her new appointment as General and Artistic Director of Brussels’ La Monnaie/De Munt.?
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Robinson comes to Seattle from Opera Theatre of St. Louis (OTSL), where he has served as Artistic Director since 2008. During his tenure, he transformed OTSL into one of the country’s most forward-looking opera festivals, commissioning 11 world premieres including Huang Ruo’s “An American Soldier,” and Terence Blanchard’s “Champion” and “Fire Shut Up in My Bones.” Robinson also has an extensive experience as a stage director, directing over 75 new productions and over 30 world premieres at the world’s top theaters.?
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“I couldn’t be more excited to be joining the tremendous staff and board at Seattle Opera. Seattle is an opera town. It has opera in its DNA, and I am honored to be able to build on that rich tradition. I can’t wait to get to work creating art with and for the passionate audiences that have made Seattle Opera into the company it is today,” says Robinson.
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General Director Christina Scheppelmann is also excited to be welcoming Robinson to Seattle. “I am very happy that James will be taking the reins of this wonderful company. James has an impressive track record as a stage director and his extensive network will present tremendous opportunities for collaboration. I am sure he will accomplish great things at Seattle Opera, together with this amazing staff and supportive board. Seattle Opera is in good hands.”
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Please join us in welcoming James Robinson to Seattle Opera.
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Photo: David Jaewon Oh