Seattle Culture
Opera’s New Maestro
Seattle Opera announces new general and artistic director
By Sarah Stackhouse August 8, 2024
James Robinson is set to become the fifth person to lead Seattle Opera in its 61-year history.
Starting Sept. 4, Robinson will take over as general and artistic director, succeeding Christina Scheppelmann, who will move on to Brussels’ La Monnaie/De Munt in January.
Robinson comes to Seattle after a 16-year tenure at Opera Theatre of Saint Louis (OTSL). He’s commissioned 11 world premieres and produced creative new takes on classic operas. Seattle audiences might remember his 2004 production of Carmen, which sold more tickets than any other opera in the company’s history.
James Robinson is the next general and artistic director of Seattle Opera.
Photo by David Jaewon Oh
The 2004 production of Bizet’s Carmen.
Photo by Rozarii Lynch, courtesy of Seattle Opera
“James is widely recognized as a leading creative force in this industry,” says Jonathan Rosoff, chair of the search committee. “Between his steadfast leadership, his impressive record of innovation, and his deep knowledge of opera, we are confident that James will make an immediate impact at Seattle Opera and lead the company into an exciting and inventive new era.”
Robinson attributes his success to a community-based approach, starting with grassroots engagement. At OTSL, he co-led the New Works, Bold Voices commissioning program, collaborating with the local community to tell diverse, modern-day stories.
“Seattle is an opera town. It has opera in its DNA,” Robinson says. “I am honored to be able to build on that rich tradition.”
Robinson has a history of fostering strong donor relationships. He helped secure a $45 million legacy gift for OTSL. His arrival in Seattle brings high expectations as he takes over the opera’s $25 million budget, overseeing five mainstage productions and various community programs.
Scheppelmann, who was recently named one of Seattle magazine’s Most Influential People, has confidence in the opera’s new leader. “James has an impressive track record as a stage director and his extensive network will present tremendous opportunities for collaboration. Seattle Opera is in good hands.”
The cast of “The Barber of Seville” at Seattle Opera.
Photo by David Jaewon Oh
From left: John Marzano as Beppe, Michael Chioldi as Tonio, and Monica Conesa as Nedda in “Pagliacci” at Seattle Opera.
Photo by Philip Newton
Seattle Opera, founded in 1963, plays an important role in the region’s arts economy, employing more than 800 people in 2023. The company is also recognized for its efforts to diversify opera through its Racial Equity and Social Impact plan developed in 2019. Each year, more than 50,000 people attend the company’s performances.
Follow Us
Seattle & Iceland Enjoy Deep Roots
Hot springs are nice, but Iceland’s new creative class is among the top reasons to visit Reykjavík, Seattle’s longtime sister city
One unusually warm afternoon this past April, I found myself in a long line outside a building in downtown Reykjavík, Iceland. Ostensibly, I was waiting for pizza...
Cleopatra’s Story Told Through Traditional Indian Dance
The newest production from Mohini Dance School looks at the trials of the Egyptian queen
In 2013, several of Smitha Krishnan’s friends reached out, asking if she was available to teach Mohiniyattam — a form of classical Indian dance originating from the southern state of Kerala — to them and their children. A dancer since childhood, Krishnan, the artistic director of Mohini Dance School, started training in Indian classical dance
A New Play With Old Roots
World premiere production of 'Mrs. Loman Is Leaving' examines identity and expectations
For actor-turned-playwright Katie Forgette, Arthur Miller’s Death of a Salesman — often considered one of the greatest plays of the 20th century — has resurfaced again and again throughout her life. Starting with a theater class in high school (then in college, and again in grad school), Forgette studied the text under instructors who held