Intendant Bregenzer Festspiele, des. Intendant Staatsoper Unter den Linden
Born in Vienna, Elisabeth Sobotka studied Musicology, Theatre Studies, Journalism and Business Administration at the university in her home city and completed her studies with a thesis on the composer and conductor Franco Faccio. She completed a course in Cultural Management at the University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna and worked in the concert department and artistic operations office of the Salzburg Festival during her studies.
In the season 1990/1991 , she worked in Vienna in the operations office of Jeunesse – Musikalische Jugend Österreichs before moving to Leipzig Opera in 1992 as Head of Artistic Production. From 1994 to 2002, she was Chief Coordinator and Director of Operations at the Vienna State Opera. From 2002 to the end of 2007, she held the position of Opera Director at the Staatsoper Unter den Linden Berlin. From September 2009, she was Intendant of Graz Opera.
Elisabeth Sobotka is a member of the Executive Committee of the Executive Master in Arts Administration (EMAA) at the University of Zurich. She was also Vice Chairwoman of the University Council of the Mozarteum University Salzburg until February 2023.
Elisabeth Sobotka has been the Artistic Director of the Bregenz Festival since 2015. In September 2024, Sobotka will be the first woman to take over as Indendant of the Staatsoper Unter den Linden in Berlin.
Photo (c) Bregenzer Festspiele, anja koehler | andereart.de