Eugene Opera has adopted a new management model effective with the 2017-18 season. Rather than having a single General Manager, as in the past decade, the company will be co-led by two highly qualified experts: Andrew Bisantz, as Artistic Director and Conductor, and Erica Rauer, as Executive Director.
Maestro Andrew Bisantz is a treasure, as the local opera community knows from his many years as Music Director and Principal Conductor here. In his expanded role, he will have principal responsibility for selecting repertoire, planning seasons, casting productions, and supervising all related artistic activities of Eugene Opera.
Erika Rauer is a newcomer to Eugene, but not to opera or to management — and a “rare find,” according to a previous colleague. She will be reponsible for all business operations of the company, including development, marketing, and support for productions and educational programs. She recently moved here from North Carolina, and looks forward to providing full-time management for all of our operations.
In September 2017, Erika was interviewed by Eric Alan on KLCC. Listen to Erika’s inteview on KLCC
This new, stronger leadership team is a key element of Eugene Opera’s turn-around plan to recover from its financial difficulties last season. Things are looking up for opera in Oregon!
More about Andrew and Erika…
Maestro Bisantz is building an impressive roster of credits at leading national orchestras and opera companies throughout the country. As the Music Director and Principal Conductor at Eugene Opera, he has played a major role in the emergence of the company as one of the most noted performing arts organizations in the Pacific Northwest. His new position incorporates his previous duties, so Eugene Opera audiences will continue to enjoy his work in the orchestra pit, as they have for the past nine seasons. He has conducted Eugene Opera’s productions of Orpheus in the Underworld, Don Giovanni, The Marriage of Figaro, Faust, La bohème, The Mikado, Carmen, Nixon in China, Pirates of Penzance, Dead Man Walking, The Girl of the Golden West, La traviata, The Elixir of Love, Lucia di Lammermoor, Eugene Onegin, Little Women, and the gala Opera Trio (Aida Act 1, Dialogues of the Carmelites Act 3, Die Fledermaus Act 2).
Erika Rauer’s administrative experience includes the positions of Director of Education (New York City Opera), Manager of Elementary School Programs (Carnegie Hall), and Founding Director of the Community Arts Collaborative (University of North Carolina – Greensboro). She has produced concert events, with responsibility for both technical and artistic operations. She has written successful grant proposals, worked with donors, and created new income-generating programs. She has managed million-dollar budgets. However, her experience is not limited to the “back office.” As an accomplished soprano, with professional appearances at Oper Bremen, Opera Boston, Tanglewood, and other venues, she also knows the “front end” of the opera business. Welcome to Eugene, Erika!