Opera Saratoga is pleased to announce the establishment of a new executive leadership position. Amanda Robie, formerly the company’s Managing Director, has been appointed to the role of Executive Director. In this capacity, she will collaborate closely with the General and Artistic Director, as well as the Board of Directors, to shape and advance the strategic direction of the company.

A resident of Saratoga Springs, Ms. Robie began her career in opera as a mezzo-soprano, having studied voice at Bucknell University and The Boston Conservatory. A notable highlight of her performing career was her role as Cousin Hebe in Opera Saratoga’s 2013 production of H.M.S. Pinafore. Driven by a desire to influence the operatic world beyond the stage, she transitioned into arts administration, holding positions at the Boston Opera Collaborative, Fort Worth Opera, and Boston Lyric Opera. In 2019, she joined Opera Saratoga as Managing Director, where she played a pivotal role in navigating the company through the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, overseeing its return to live performances, and leading the search for a new General Director.

“I am honored to step into the role of Executive Director at Opera Saratoga,” said Ms. Robie. “I look forward to continuing my work with this extraordinary company and vibrant community to ensure the continued vitality and success of opera in the region.”

“Amanda is an invaluable asset to Opera Saratoga, and both the Board and I are deeply appreciative that she has accepted this new leadership role,” said Mary Birnbaum, General and Artistic Director. “Her warmth, leadership, and in-depth knowledge of the art form make her a central figure at Opera Saratoga. Artists, technicians, and administrators alike consistently cite her as a major reason they choose to return to the company. I am excited to continue our partnership and to work alongside her in shaping the future of Opera Saratoga, beginning with the 2025 Summer Festival, which will run from May 20 to June 29.”

For more information about Amanda Robie or to buy subscriptions for Opera Saratoga’s Summer Season, please visit our website at www.operasaratoga.org.

ABOUT OPERA SARATOGA:
Opera Saratoga, formerly known as Lake George Opera, began with a production of Die Fledermaus at the Diamond Point Theatre on July 5, 1962, playing to an audience of 230. The Company now calls Saratoga Springs home and performs for more than 25,000 people annually. Opera Saratoga celebrates its 60th Anniversary this season. The company serves the communities of Saratoga Springs, the Lower Adirondack and New York State Capital areas by providing access to world-class opera through the production of an annual Summer Festival, as well as year-round activities including extensive educational programs, mentorship of emerging operatic artists, and unique opportunities for the public to experience opera in both our home theater and non-traditional venues that leverage and embrace the unique cultural, historic, and natural resources of the area. To date, the company has performed 108 different fully staged works by 69 different composers, including 44 works by American composers and 15 premiere productions. In 2023, the company hired its 10th Artistic and General Director, Mary Birnbaum. For more information, visit www.operasaratoga.org

ABOUT AMANDA ROBIE:
Amanda Robie is a seasoned Arts Administrator who has worked in the field of opera for over 10 years. Amanda grew up in New Hampshire, and was interested in music from a young age, studying the violin, trumpet, and voice through high school. She received her Bachelor of Music in Music Education at Bucknell University focusing on vocal studies and received her Master of Music in Voice Performance from The Boston Conservatory. While living in Boston, she was one of the early members of Boston Opera Collaborative, a company run by singers to help provide performance opportunities to young singers in the Boston area. After receiving her Master of Music, Amanda worked at The Boston Conservatory for three years as the Assistant Registrar while pursuing her singing career. In 2011, she had the opportunity to join the Young Artist Program at Fort Worth Opera and was their resident mezzo-soprano for two years. She then spent the summer of 2013 as an Apprentice Artist at Opera Saratoga, performing the role of Cousin Hebe in H.M.S. Pinafore. The following year, she transitioned into arts administration and started working at Fort Worth Opera as their Company Manager. Over the next three years on the Fort Worth Opera staff, Amanda worked her way up to become the Director of Apprentice Artists/Education and ultimately, the Director of Artistic Operations. Amanda then transitioned back to her New England roots and took on the position of Production Operations Manager at Boston Lyric Opera. In 2019, Amanda was approached to join the staff of Opera Saratoga as the Managing Director. She has worked at Opera Saratoga since March of 2019, working through the COVID pandemic and subsequent return to the stage as well as leading the company through a major leadership transition.