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Australian-Chinese conductor Dane Lam has been appointed as the new Artistic Director of State Opera South Australia effective as of 15^th September. Currently, the Music Director of the Hawai’i Symphony Orchestra and Principal Conductor and Artistic Director of China’s Xi’an Symphony Orchestra, Lam  has a long and celebrated history that has taken him across the globe, working with some of the best in the business.

Some of Lam’s career highlights include his critically-acclaimed London debut with Rossini's La Cenerentola at Opera Holland Park; leading the orchestral and operatic revival in Australia in the wake of the 2020 Covid-19 lockdowns; building the Xi'an Symphony Orchestra over almost a decade - the first non-Chinese national Chief Conductor of a Chinese orchestra - and attracting world-renowned guest artists to introduce opera to the city.

He has also championed living composers (Michael-Thomas Foumai, Zhao Jiping, Salina Fisher, Huang Ruo) and neglected composers of the past (Dai-Keong Lee, Florence Price, Margaret Bonds, Francesco Cilea); performed Beethoven's Ode to Joy with the Xi'an Symphony Orchestra at the Terracotta Warriors Museum, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and, most recently, led the Hawai'i Symphony Orchestra with a host of Hawai'i artists in Maui Ola: A Benefit Concert for Maui in the wake of the Maui wildfires, which raised more than one million dollars through a national televised event.

Lam’s appointment coincides with the announcement of a new Chair, Ashley Miller who began last Thursday 7th September. As a Partner of KPMG and Professor at Adelaide University, Mr Miller intends to merge his passion for opera and extensive experience in governance, finance and accounting to lead State Opera into the future.

SA Arts Minister Andrea Michaels notes “South Australia is globally renowned for its extraordinary opera and it’s fantastic to welcome both Dane and Ashley to State Opera South Australia.

“Dane has a long and celebrated history that has taken him across the globe, working with some of the best in the business, and I’m looking forward to him bringing his considerable talents to South Australia.

“I look forward to this new leadership team cementing our state’s reputation for brilliant opera and I thank the outgoing team for their passion, tremendous skill and hard work.”

State Opera Artistic Director Dane Lam shared “I've long admired State Opera and its trailblazing work presenting a succession of Australian firsts, bringing more opera to more people across the state, and stewarding this most human of art forms.

“The skill of storytelling through the power of the unamplified human voice, opera is an art form that stands apart for its ability to unite music, words, drama, design and much more - an exemplar of people working together to tell stories that speak to universal themes. This is what inspires me.

“I’m honoured to build on Stuart Maunder’s vibrant work, and to move the company towards its 50th anniversary in 2026. My vision is to champion Australian artists and opera makers in joyous, diverse works in partnership with Executive Director Mark Taylor and the whole team.”

State Opera Executive Director Mark Taylor adds “We have had a change of guard at State Opera over the past year and these appointments finalise our new team that will shape the next chapter of our history. I’m excited to not only work with these great people, but to be a part of shaping this company’s future.

Outgoing Artistic Director Stuart Maunder has been a game-changer within the company and has had so many highlights over his time with State Opera. I would like to thank him and outgoing Chair, Master Elizabeth Olsson for their unwavering steadfast commitment and passion in their roles.”

Image. Australian-Chinese conductor Dane Lam has been appointed as the new Artistic Director of State Opera South Australia. Credit SOSA

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