Emily Gottlieb leaves National Opera Studio for Longborough Festival Opera

Longborough Festival Opera has today announced the appointment of Emily Gottlieb as its executive director from April 2024. Succeeding Jennifer Smith, who stood down as executive director in October, Gottlieb joins Longborough from her role as chief executive of the National Opera Studio (NOS) which she has held for nine years.

With Gottlieb at the helm, Longborough will this summer embark on a project to stage all four productions in Wagner's Der Ring des Nibelungen, alongside a new production of Puccini's La bohème, and a family friendly Playground Opera production of The Elixir of Love.

Longborough Festival Opera chair Andrew Mosely said: ‘I am delighted that Emily will join us as our executive director in April 2024 as we embark on this summer’s Ring Cycle. Emily has spent her entire career at the heart of opera in the UK and earned an excellent reputation at all levels within the industry. She has a deep practical understanding of opera making and the vision, experience and leadership skills to help steer Longborough to different and exciting places whilst respecting and serving our core audiences.’

Gottlieb brings to her new role experience gained throughout her time at NSO, during which the organisation launched its Diverse Voices initiative to include learners and performers from backgrounds currently under-represented in opera and expanded its opera company residency model in collaboration with the ENO orchestra, Glyndebourne, as well as continuing partnerships with Opera North, Scottish Opera and Welsh National Opera. She also brings skills gained over 15 years with the Royal Opera House. Nicholas Allan, chair of the NOS board of trustees, will work with Gottlieb and the board to ensure a seamless leadership transition.

Gottlieb said: ‘I shall look back at my time at the National Opera Studio with enormous gratitude and pride. I will miss the incredible staff, young artists, alumni, coaches and creative teams, and will relish seeing them in my new role and in the opera houses of the world for years to come. I am immensely proud of what we have collectively achieved and leave a generous and talented team who have the ethos of adaptability, curiosity and drive that is the hallmark of the Studio. They will continue to respond to the needs of the sector and its artists for years to come.’