1. In theatre: person with ultimate responsibility for all artistic decision-making on a show, usually subject only to the producerΓÇÖs (managerΓÇÖs) veto. Plans appearance of production with design team, decides on casting, leads creative interpretation process in production rehearsal, instructs stage management, and sits in the front row of the balcony on first night. Until the sixties, known in the U.K. as the producer.
2. In opera, as for theatre, but responsibility for casting lies more with the conductor and management. The director gives way to the conductor, eventually, on all matters musical.
