Opera Australia has announced three key leadership appointments, placing the company on a new path as it approaches its 70th anniversary. The Board confirmed Professor Glyn Davis AC as Chair, Alex Budd as Chief Executive Officer, and Andrea Battistoni as Music Director.
Andrea Battistoni to lead musical direction
From January 2026, Italian conductor Andrea Battistoni will oversee all musical aspects of Opera Australia’s productions. Battistoni has conducted regularly with the company since 2018 and is scheduled to lead Madama Butterfly and Turandot at the Sydney Opera House in 2026.
Based in Verona, Battistoni has appeared at major opera houses including Covent Garden, the Deutsche Oper Berlin, the Palau de les Arts Valencia, and the Royal Opera House Stockholm. He gained early recognition at the 2010 Verdi Festival and, two years later, became the youngest conductor to appear at Teatro alla Scala in Milan, aged 24.
In a statement, Battistoni said he looked forward to “reuniting with colleagues” in Australia and outlined his vision of broadening the repertoire:
“While recognising the value of the Italian repertoire, which will continue to be an essential component, I propose an expansion into other musical cultures… from Wagner to Britten, from the French masterpieces to new contemporary works.”
He added that Opera Australia must balance its international standing with nurturing local talent:
“It’s also important OA maintains its status as an international house of excellence. I’ll be nurturing local talent as well as attracting international singers and directors with whom to share important projects.”
Leadership changes
The new CEO, Alex Budd, returns to Opera Australia after two decades in the performing arts. He most recently served as Director of Canberra Theatre Centre, where he oversaw growth in audiences and advanced the planning for a new 2,000-seat lyric theatre. Budd described his appointment as “a genuine homecoming” and said the company has the chance to “redefine what opera means in contemporary Australia.”
Professor Glyn Davis AC resumes his position as Chair of the Board, having previously held the role before serving as Secretary of the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. He succeeds Rod Sims AO, who completed a three-year term. Davis said Battistoni’s appointment “brings a familiar and much-loved musical leader to Australia,” while praising Budd’s experience in securing “an artistically rewarding and sustainable future.”
The appointments follow a period of financial recovery and programming stability for Opera Australia. Outgoing Chair Rod Sims AO said the company is “now on a sustainable footing and with strengthened leadership is well placed for a vibrant future.”
Subscribe to our newsletter