Dynamic conductor Robert Ashens, whose distinguished career as pianist and conductor has brought him to many world capitols, concluded his sixth season as Artistic Director and Principal Conductor of Eugene Opera, garnering tremendous critical acclaim for his productions of Il barbiere di Siviglia and especially his innovative Hansel and Gretel, creating an unusual realization with Toni Pimble and Eugene Ballet Company. This season marks the third return to DaCorneto Opera, the fifth return to The Eugene Ballet Company as conductor of The Nutcracker and his debut with Oregon Ballet Theater (as pianist); previously, he debuted with Western Ballet Theater, and conducted his Nutcracker debuts with the Billings and Wyoming Symphonies. The Maestro last appeared with Oregon Festival of American Music’s production of Anything Goes at the Hult Center. He spent two months last summer in Italy conducting Rigoletto for La Musica Lirica; he returns this summer to conduct Suor Angelica and Gianni Schicchi. With this busy schedule, he maintains coaching studios in San Francisco, Oregon and New York.