New director hopes to hit the right note at Seattle Opera

The Seattle Opera announced Thursday that it has hired James Robinson, the long-time artistic director of Opera Theatre of Saint Louis, as its new general and artistic director. Robinson begins in his new role Sept. 4, 2024.

He was selected after an international search that considered approximately 200 candidates from a diverse pool of arts leaders. Robinson succeeds Christina Scheppelmann, who made history as the group's first female general director and led Seattle Opera for approximately five years.

Robinson, who worked for 16 years at Opera Theatre of Saint Louis in St. Louis, Missouri, brings community building experience and vision to his new role at the Seattle Opera.

“Seattle is an opera town,” he said. “It has a long history of producing opera and people coming to the opera. I look forward to creating a vibrant future here.”

A spokesperson for Seattle Opera said Robinson brings experience and connections to the new role.

"We expect him to make an immediate impact on Seattle’s artistic community,” the spokesperson said. “Additionally, working with and for our community is a core value of Seattle Opera and James’s experience in St. Louis will allow us to build on that tradition.”

Robinson acknowledged that the arts community in Seattle faces serious challenges.

“Getting people back into the theater is a struggle for many organizations,” he said. “It just takes patience and getting the word out.”

He said he aims to draw a broader audience and make opera more accessible.

“We can create projects that reflect the community and generate enthusiasm,” he said. “People may not realize they know more opera than they think, as it permeates popular culture.”

According to the press release, Robinson plans a dynamic mix of classic operas and new commissions from diverse composers, fostering an environment of experimentation and inclusivity.

“We need to strike a balance between satisfying our core audience and engaging new opera-goers,” he emphasized.

Robinson also envisions utilizing the opera center off of Mercer Street in Seattle, as a hub for local talent and community engagement, aiming to reflect the vibrancy of Seattle’s artistic scene.

“It’s about making opera resonate with our community and ensuring everyone feels welcome,” he said.

As he prepares to oversee the company’s $25 million budget, Robinson faces the additional challenge of maintaining Seattle Opera's status as a leader in the Pacific Northwest arts scene.

“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,” he said.