Eugene and San Francisco-based musician Robert Ashens, whose distinguished career as pianist and conductor has brought him to many world capitals, 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 also conducts ballet and symphonic works with companies internationally. As Music Director and Conductor of Shedd (Institute) Theatricals, Babes In Arms is his fifteenth production. Next up in the Bay area, Lucia di Lammermoor with Island City Opera in Alameda, January 2015.
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 and Jesus Christ Superstar, and has premiered many new works of both Broadway and Opera. He is a Eugene Emerald Valley Rotarian and 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 |