San Francisco-based musician Robert Ashens, whose distinguished career as conductor and pianist has brought him to many world capitols, is Artistic Director / co-founder, West Coast Opera (Opera Oregon), is past General and Artistic Director of Anchorage Opera and past Artistic Director of both
Eugene Opera and Opera San Luis Obispo. The Maestro was honored to perform at the opening of this year’s annual Johann Strauss Symposium, TANZ SIGNALE. He has made recent debuts with Berkeley, Golden Gate and Virago Opera companies; he co-founded the Johann Strauss Society of America, as well. The Maestro also conducts ballet and symphonic works with companies internationally. As Music Director-Conductor of Shedd (Institute) Theatricals, he has led eleven prior productions; The Music Man and Camelot are his next shows at The Shedd.
With a repertoire of nearly one hundred-twenty operas, he has conducted to great acclaim for regional opera companies throughout the United States and in many major cities of Europe, especially in Italy. He has also accompanied many opera luminaries in concert over the past 30 years.
Ashens is in constant demand as a lecturer, accompanist and program director for concerts and recitals nationwide. Maestro Ashens toured nationally as conductor with the Broadway companies of A Chorus Line, Jesus Christ Superstar, and Sugar Babies (with Mickey Rooney and Ann Miller) and has premiered many new works of both Broadway and Opera. He is a Eugene Emerald Valley Rotarian, a member of Phi Beta, and is listed in WHO’S WHO IN AMERICAN MUSIC.
| Jun 16-25 | ST 2017 | Gypsy | Jaqua |
| Sep 13-29 | ST 2019 | Annie | Jaqua |