The artistic director of the Copenhagen Opera Festival, Amy Lane, has been appointed director of opera at Opera Australia following an extensive national and international search.

The appointment completes OA’s senior leadership team, which replaces the former single, powerful artistic director model.

Before her time in Denmark, Lane served as head staff director at the Royal Ballet and Opera, Covent Garden.

In Copenhagen, Lane expanded the festival into a major international platform for new work and reimagined repertoire. In 2025 the festival received the Oper! Award for Best Future Project, one of Europe’s most respected opera honours.

Her career spans major opera houses and festivals across Europe, the UK and North America. She is also is no stranger to Opera Australia either, having previously worked as revival director for Kasper Holten’s production of King Roger.

Lane will work alongside Opera Australia chief executive officer Alex Budd and music director Andrea Battistoni.

Budd described Lane as “one of the most compelling leaders of her generation in the opera world”, adding that her experience would strengthen the company’s future artistic vision.

Lane, praising OA’s artists and “distinctive national voice,” said: “My wish is that together we create productions that matter and inspire artistic conversations, work that honours the great operatic canon while speaking clearly to contemporary audiences.”

She will commence with the flagship company in September.