Cynthia Auerbach (1943-1987) was a prolific director of opera during her relatively brief life.
Born in Spring Valley, New York, she attended the State University of New York at Potsdam and the Manhattan School of Music, where she later became a member of the faculty. Her interest and experience in directing opera began when she founded a children's opera theater at the Manhattan School of Music in 1968. She soon began directing for the Bel Canto Opera and the New School, before becoming a resident director at New York City Opera in 1972. Her productions of La Boheme and Carmen received considerable acclaim. Her success with the New York City Opera led to numerous engagements with regional American opera companies, including the Lake George Opera Festival, Kansas City Opera, Long Island Opera, Rochester Opera, and Lansing Opera. In addition to her work as a director, Auerbach was also known as a pianist, coach, and conductor, and enjoyed writing parodies of famous operatic arias for fundraisers and galas before her untimely death.
From the description of Cynthia Auerbach papers, 1968-1986. (New York Public Library). WorldCat record id: 84646954
