A powerful memoir excerpt revealing a pivotal encounter with opera legend Plácido Domingo that exposed the dark underbelly of power dynamics in the arts, offering crucial lessons about respect and self-advocacy for women.
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After retiring, I dropped the endless performances and events, started writing my first book, and made three unscheduled days a week my permanent new normal.
Anne C. Ewers · In Her Own Words
Her Story
About Anne C.
Anne Ewers is an accomplished arts leader, opera director, and mentor with decades of experience shaping the performing arts landscape in the United States. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Music and Theater from Fontbonne University and a Master’s of Music in Opera Production from The University of Texas at Austin. Anne began her career at the San Francisco Opera as an Assistant Stage Director and quickly rose through leadership roles at Boston Lyric Opera, Utah Symphony | Utah Opera, and ultimately as President & CEO of the Kimmel Cultural Campus in Philadelphia.
Throughout her career, Anne has been recognized for her visionary leadership, fostering artistic excellence while strengthening organizational growth. She has guided teams through complex productions, cultivated talent, and championed innovation in the arts. Her work has earned her numerous honors, including a Doctor of Humane Letters, Honoris Causa from Drexel University and induction into the Marquette High School Hall of Fame. Anne also contributes her expertise to boards such as PNC Bank’s Philadelphia Region Advisory Board and the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce.
Beyond her executive accomplishments, Anne is a passionate mentor and lifelong learner. She is currently exploring the power of mentorship in her forthcoming memoir, The Mentor’s Gift, sharing insights from her decades of guiding emerging leaders in the arts. Anne continues to inspire the next generation of arts professionals through her teaching, mentorship, and dedication to fostering inclusive, thriving cultural communities.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Anne C.
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to always being willing to learn wherever I go, embracing challenges, and striving to make a difference in the lives of others. I recently celebrated the inaugural signing of my second book, The Mentor’s Gift, which reflects my passion for mentorship and sharing the lessons I’ve learned throughout my career.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve ever received is to stand tall and confident, lead when needed, be a strong team player, and always focus on getting the job done.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I would advise young women entering my industry to find their passion, love what they do, and stay focused and determined in pursuing their goals.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest opportunities in my field right now is continuing to stay involved and connected after such a fulfilling professional journey. I feel blessed to have met so many incredible people along the way and look forward to contributing and mentoring in the years ahead.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values most important to me in both my work and personal life are striving to be my best and always giving my best effort, staying eager to learn, and sharing knowledge by teaching and mentoring others.
Her Content Hub
Articles by Anne C.
Verdi’s La Traviata
A Lesson in Respect: One Woman's Encounter with Power, Privilege, and Unwanted Advances in Opera
Internationally revered Hal Prince was directing Puccini’s La Fanciulla del West during my first San Francisco Opera season. While I was not assigned to his production, I spent every break from my own production assistant duties observing his rehearsals. As I shared in my recently published book, The Mentor’s Gift, watching Hal guide the artists to create intriguing, complex characters, develop believable relationships, and carry the drama forward in a propulsive, exciting manner was an invaluable lesson for me, an impressionable, burgeoning director.
Interestingly, on my third visit to the set, Plácido Domingo sauntered over to ask why I was observing the rehearsals. I shyly explained that I was preparing to direct my own production of Verdi’s La Traviata and was eager to learn everything I could by observing Hal. Domingo offered to help me with La Traviata, and I was utterly stunned. Just 40 years old, opera aficionados considered Domingo the best Alfredo of that era, if not of all time. I eagerly accepted his offer, and he suggested meeting for dinner after rehearsal the next day.
By this point, Domingo was well known for philandering, and I should have been more perceptive. Ever career-focused, I completely missed the first signal. Ladies, I cannot underscore strongly enough the challenge we face: many men fail to treat women with respect. They use their status to overpower or intimidate and seduce through a panoply of compliments.
As I drove to the restaurant Domingo suggested, my mind raced with questions I wanted to ask. Pulling into the parking lot, it hit me—the restaurant was connected to the Fairmont, the hotel where Domingo was staying. I vowed to keep the evening focused on La Traviata. As I suspected, the conversation began to gently shift from opera to more personal topics after the appetizer course. I graciously yet firmly declined, indicating that I was seriously involved with my boyfriend, Carl, and was committed, refusing to stray. Gradually, I steered the conversation back to La Traviata and received advice and directorial suggestions from the man who lived and breathed the role of Alfredo.
I had been extremely lucky. Since Domingo was only a guest artist at SFO, he held no power over me; he had no ability to ruin my career. That was not the case for everyone. Any woman who worked for him at Los Angeles Opera or Washington National Opera, where he served as artistic director, was at risk of losing her job or ruining her career if she refused his advances. Launched in 2006, the #MeToo movement brought many perpetrators and their actions to light. Yet, despite the movement, women are still plagued by these dynamics today. Be alert, be cautious, and uphold your commitment to yourself.
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