About Opera Saratoga

Opera Saratoga serves the communities of Saratoga Springs, the Lower Adirondacks, and the New York State Capital Region by providing world-class opera. The company produces an annual Summer Festival alongside year-round activities, including extensive educational programs, the mentorship of emerging opera artists through its Festival Artist Program, and a variety of opportunities for the public to experience live performance.

Mainstage productions are hosted at the state-of-art, 450- to 600-seat Universal Preservation Hall (UPH) in downtown Saratoga Springs, supplemented by performances in non-traditional venues that leverage the unique cultural, historic, and natural resources of the area.

Recent Seasons & Programming

Opera Saratoga is in a period of exciting artistic expansion. The 2026 Summer Festival featured a dynamic range of repertoire, including Lerner and Loewe's My Fair Lady, Donizetti's The Elixir of Love, Kurt Weill and Bertolt Brecht's Happy End (a first-ever collaboration with other upstate NY companies, including Gliimerglass Festival) and a workshop of a newly commissioned opera Alyssa Weinberg and J. Mae Barizo's Drift.

Expanding its footprint beyond the summer, the company recently established a new tradition of off-festival winter programming, which launched to great success in December 2025 with Puccini’s La Bohème. This initiative continues in December 2026 with a highly anticipated production of Verdi's La Traviata.

Opera Saratoga boasts the second oldest young artist program of its kind in the country. Each year between 20 and 25 emerging artists are selected as Festival Artists, from nearly 1000 applicants, to participate in this highly regarded program. In 2027 the program will once again be led by Juilliard's Adam Nielsen.

The annual Education Tour Program brings live performance into schools across upstate New York during spring, reaching thousands of children every year. Looking ahead, the 2027 Education Tour will feature a newly created reduction of Mozart and Schikaneder's The Magic Flute, a full production of which will later serve as a cornerstone of the 2027 Summer Festival mainstage line-up.

Through our partnership with Songs by Heart, Opera Saratoga continues to champion therapeutic interactive sing-along music programming for those living with Alzheimer’s Disease and other forms of dementia. 

Leadership Transition

Outgoing General and Artistic Director Mary Birnbaum will transition into an advisory role at the start of 2027. An acclaimed American stage director, educator, and visionary artistic leader, Ms. Birnbaum brought a new level of national recognition to Opera Saratoga. Known for her vibrant, visceral, productions, Ms. Birnbaum has carved out a distinct reputation for directing both classic operas and groundbreaking new music theater.

Under her leadership, Opera Saratoga staged its first-ever winter programming and cultivated entirely new audiences by turning productions into community-wide events. This era was defined by successful strategic partnerships with regional festivals and acclaimed companies, including the Glimmerglass Festival. Opera Saratoga seeks a new leader to build upon this tremendous artistic momentum.

The Community

Saratoga Springs is located in the Capital District of New York State - 3.5 hours to New York City to the south, Boston to the east, and Montreal to the north. The city is home to the oldest active thoroughbred racetrack in the United States, the Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC), Skidmore College, and a wealth of arts and cultural attractions. Named one of the nation’s most charming small cities, Saratoga Springs is a thriving community filled with exquisite restaurants, boutique shopping, 21 mineral springs, excellent schools, and vibrant nightlife. Albany International Airport is located 30 minutes south, and there is daily train service to New York City.

The Position

Reporting to the Board of Directors, the General Director provides overall artistic and administrative leadership for this $1.4 million company headquartered in vibrant Saratoga Springs, New York. The General Director is the chief administrative officer of Opera Saratoga, responsible for artistic direction, community relationship building, and overall organizational management.

This is a full-time position that requires year-round residence in the Capital Region.

The General Director works in close collaboration with the Executive Director, the Head of Music Staff/Director of the Young Artist Program, the Development Committee of the Board of Directors, Proctor's Theatre Patron Services/Box Office Manager, seasonal artistic and production staff, and the Board of Directors.

Specific responsibilities may include, but not be limited to the following:

• Operational Leadership: Venue and orchestra contract negotiation, fiscal management of the $1.4M annual budget, and day-to-day operations.

• Strategic Growth: Working alongside the Board and staff on marketing, strategic planning, DEI initiatives, and staff development.

• Development and Community: Oversee all aspects of Development and Community Relations. Serving as the key spokesperson for the company, cultivating external relationships with donors, expanding the patron base, developing and enhancing partnerships with regional businesses and organizations. Serves as the owner for government and foundation grants.

• Marketing & Brand Awareness: Oversee and monitor the development and execution of comprehensive marketing strategies that strengthen awareness of Opera Saratoga’s mission and offerings. Expand visibility and reach within the Saratoga and Arts communities through high impact events, digital and print campaigns, partnerships, media coverage, and other activities. 

• Artistic & Program Oversight: Oversee repertoire selection, assembly of creative teams for the Summer Festival, community and year-round programs, casting, and oversight of licensing and rentals.

Candidate Profile

The ideal candidate will be a proven leader in the not-for-profit sector, have a strong business background, and a track record in arts revenue generation, operations planning, board governance and human resource management. A deep knowledge of opera and musical theatre repertoire, and all aspects of production (including audience development) is a plus.

Exceptional communication skills, an inspiring and enthusiastic presence, and a proven track record in community relationship building are required.

Candidates who do not meet all of the requirements are encouraged to apply. 

Compensation

$105,000 - $120,000 annually, accompanied by a comprehensive benefits and relocation package. Benefits include:

• Vacation Time - 5 weeks, which includes two-weeks of office closure (typically the last week of August, last week of December)

• Health & Dental Insurance - Company pays 85% of premium for employee

• SIMPLE IRA contribution match up to 3% of salary

• Flexible work schedule

Application Process

Interested candidates are invited to submit a letter of interest, a resume, and the names and contact information for three professional references in confidence using the form below.

Specific questions may be addressed to Opera Saratoga’s board president, Steve Rosenblum <srosenblum@operasaratoga.org>, however all candidates are required to apply online.

Deadline for Applications: October 15, 2026

Opera Saratoga does not discriminate against any person based on race, color, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, religion, age, familial or marital status, veteran status, non-job related disability, or any other basis protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws.