Cynthia Auerbach was born in Spring Valley, Long Island, in 1943. She attended school at the State University of New York at Potsdam, where she would later receive the outstanding alumni award in 1973. She also attended Manhattan School of Music, eventually serving on the theory faculty and becoming the assistant director of the preparatory division. Her interest in directing opera began when she founded the Manhattan School Children’s Opera in 1969. She directed many works for children, including Ravel’s L’Enfant et les Sortileges and Noye’s Fludde. Cynthia then began directing for the Bel Canto Opera and the New School. She became a resident director at New York City Opera in 1972 and received much acclaim for her productions of La Boheme and Carmen. Through her work at the New York City Opera, she branched out to direct at other opera venues, including the Lake George Opera Festival, Kansas City Opera, Long Island Opera, Rochester Opera, and Lansing Opera. Auerbach was also known for her accomplished work on the piano and as a superior coach, conductor and director. She also enjoyed writing parodies of famous operatic arias for fundraisers and galas. Auerbach’s career was cut short when she died on May 16, 1987 after a battle with lung cancer. She was 44 years old.
From the guide to the Cynthia Auerbach papers, 1968-1986, (The New York Public Library. Music Division.)
