Ian Robertson was Chorus Director for the San Francisco Opera for 35 years, from 1987 to his retirement in 2022. He was also Artistic Director for the San Francisco Boys Chorus for 23 years, beginning in 1996. Born and raised in Scotland, Robertson studied at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and the University of Glasgow, where he trained under Sir Alexander Gibson. Robertson began his career in opera as Chorus Director and Conductor with the Scottish Opera, from 1978 through 1987. At the San Francisco Opera, Robertson was Chorus Director for over 300 productions, including world premieres. He also conducted the opera orchestra and chorus in numerous concerts and festivals. In 2003 he was awarded the Olivier Messiaen Foundation Prize for his work on the production of Saint François d'Assise and in 2012 he received the San Francisco Opera Medal in recognition of outstanding achievement as an artistic professional.