The Board of Opera Australia (OA) has announced the appointment of three key leadership positions, strengthening OA’s place as the nation’s premier opera company, one of its most important cultural institutions and the largest employer in the performing arts.
Chair of the Board: Professor Glyn Davis AC
Chief Executive Officer: Alex Budd
Music Director: Maestro Andrea Battistoni
The three leaders have decades of combined understanding of OA’s purpose and its people, each enjoying a unique connection with the company. Together they will play critical roles in executing OA’s strategic vision for the future, and in the continuing recruitment process for a Director of Opera.
Bringing governance excellence to the OA Board, Professor Glyn Davis AC commences in his second term as Chair. Outgoing Chair Rod Sims AO, after consulting the Board, approached Davis to re-join when he stepped down as Secretary of the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet in June this year.
“I was delighted that Glyn agreed, and we have been working together since to ensure a smooth transition. His extensive experience and proven track record guiding Opera Australia through the changes the performing arts sector is facing, makes Glyn the ideal leader to help OA navigate our next important chapter,” said Sims.
To drive strategic, operational and commercial excellence and take a long-term approach to performance programming, new CEO Alex Budd will ensure OA continues to innovate and deepen audience engagement and connection across Australia while balancing artistic ambition with financial sustainability.
With two decades of experience across opera, dance, musical theatre and cultural leadership, Budd is a highly respected senior arts executive who most recently served as Director of Canberra Theatre Centre.
There he has overseen significant growth in audiences and commercial outcomes, strengthened the Centre’s artistic profile and national partnerships, and progressed the vision and planning for a new 2,000 seat lyric theatre in the nation’s capital.
Bringing musical brilliance and a deep knowledge of opera to OA, commencing in January 2026, Italian conductor and composer Maestro Andrea Battistoni will oversee all musical aspects of productions and realise the company’s artistic vision working closely with the Director of Opera and CEO.
Verona-based Battistoni is recognised as one of the most esteemed conductors of his generation, a regular on the podium in the world’s finest opera houses such as Covent Garden, Deutsche Oper in Berlin, Palau del Les Arts in Valencia, Royal Opera House in Stockholm, Teatro Carlo Felice in Genoa and the Sydney Opera House.
First attracting international attention at the Verdi Festival in 2010, Battistoni became the youngest conductor to perform at the Teatro alla Scala in Milan in 2012 at only 24 years of age.
“Opera Australia is in a position of strength. The past twelve months have seen a significant financial recovery and performances that are critically acclaimed and selling to full houses, and the 2026 program has been well received. Opera Australia is now on a sustainable footing and with strengthened leadership is well placed for a vibrant future,” said outgoing Chair Rod Sims.
“On behalf of the Board I express our deepest gratitude to Rod Sims during his three-year term as Chair,” said Professor Glyn Davis AC. “Despite COVID and some leadership changes, Rod has ensured OA has achieved some remarkable strategic milestones.”
“He navigated significant challenges and has put OA into a strong position to prosper. I thank Rod for his unwavering commitment and for his passion for the artform as a longstanding lover of opera.”
“I have much appreciated Rod’s encouragement and advice in recent weeks as we have prepared for this handover. With colleagues at the company, I look forward to Rod’s continued involvement as a valued member of our community.”
“The appointment of internationally acclaimed Andrea Battistoni as Music Director brings a familiar and much-loved musical leader to Australia and the Opera. His charismatic style works well with the ambitions of this company to combine global expertise with distinctly Australian voices.”
“Alex Budd brings to OA extensive performing arts expertise with proven commercial capability. His leadership will secure an artistically rewarding and sustainable future for Opera Australia. Alex will build on their achievements and develop new opportunities for partnership and joint productions.”
“I am excited by this opportunity to contribute to the vibrant future of Australia’s national opera company and to work with its leaders, artists, creatives and employees as OA delivers spectacular performances for diverse audiences,” said Professor Davis.
For more information about Opera Australia, visit: www.opera.org.au for details.
Images: Professor Glyn Davis AC (supplied) | Alex Budd – photo by Martin Ollman | Maestro Andrea Battistoni (supplied)