Amy Lane Announced As Opera Australia’s New Director of Opera

Opera Australia has made a major announcement today: Amy Lane will be stepping into the role of Director of Opera in September.

This appointment follows an extensive global search designed to bolster the company’s position on the international stage as it enters its 70th anniversary year.

“Amy is one of the most compelling leaders of her generation in the opera world,” Opera Australia CEO Alex Budd said in a statement delivered to City Hub. “Her international work as a stage director, combined with her strong relationships with executive and artistic producers, singers, directors, and designers, uniquely positions her to shape OA’s ambitious artistic plans for the future.

“I am delighted Amy is joining our team. Her deep knowledge of the artform, strategic insight, and proven collaborative leadership will significantly strengthen our vision and drive our next chapter with confidence.”

Alongside CEO Alex Budd and Music Director Andrea Battistoni, Lane will be responsible for Opera Australia’s repertoire planning and production, cultivating audience and co-producer relationships, and realising the organisation’s commitment to both accessibility and artistic excellence.

“Opera Australia is a company with extraordinary artists working across all disciplines and a distinctive national voice” Lane said. “I am excited by the scale of its ambition and its appetite for bold and innovative work, led essentially by strong narratives and vibrant storytelling.”

Lane has particularly emphasised her desire for Opera Australia to create art that not only pays homage to the operatic canon and its celebrated traditions, but that equally strives for innovation.

“My wish is that together, we can create productions that both matter and inspire great artistic conversations,” Lane said. “Work that honours the extraordinary and much-loved canon, while speaking clearly to contemporary audiences. I look forward to building that future with Alex, Andrea and the outstanding teams at OA.”

Who is Amy Lane, Opera Australia’s new Director of Opera?

Born in London, Amy Lane is a globally acclaimed opera director and festival leader who has created works in English, German, French, Italian, and Danish. 

Lane joins Opera Australia following seven years as Artistic Director of the  Copenhagen Opera Festival, which expanded to 120 events annually under her tenure, and was awarded Best Future Project at the Oper! Awards in 2025. 

Prior to her tenure at the Copenhagen Opera Festival, Lane served in leading roles spanning major opera houses across the world, including The Royal Ballet and Opera Covent Garden, Royal Danish Opera, English National Opera, Welsh National Opera, Polish National Opera, Théâtre du Châtelet and Semperoper Dresden.