Douglas Nagel, a native Montanan, made his directing debut at 21. After receiving his MM from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, Douglas joined the faculty at California State University, Hayward, and held a similar position at Southern Oregon University, Ashland.  He produced, directed and conducted Die Fledermaus, The Tales of Hoffmann, Gigi, Pajama Game, The Pirates of Penzance, Il Tabarro, Gianni Schicchi, The Hand of Bridge, L’Egisto, Riders to the Sea, The Magic Flute, The Scarf, The Telephone, The Impresario and L’Ormindo. He made his Northern Plains Opera (North Dakota) directing The Merry Widow. He has also directed at Opera Idaho, West Bay Opera, Palo Alto, CA, Sacramento Opera & Opera East Texas. Among his productions include Madama Butterfly, Tosca, Don Pasquale, The Magic Flute, Così fan tutte, Girl of the Golden West, Elixir of Love, Carmen, The Merry Widow, Hansel and Gretel, La Traviata and La bohème. Mr. Nagel takes great pride in bringing opera to children, adapting operas to mini versions for schools, including The Tales of Hoffmann, Die Fledermaus, Trouble in Tahiti, Hansel and Gretel, The Impresario and The Magic Flute. Douglas received grants from the Utah Arts Council and National Endowment for the Arts to produce "Let’s make an Opera" in a Salt Lake area grade school. In 2005 & 2007 Mr. Nagel sat on the National Endowment of the Arts Opera Division panel, reviewing grant requests. Mr. Nagel’s current new project is American Opera Idol, a touring show geared to middle and high school students. The Marriage of Figaro marks Mr. Nagel’s 16th production he has directed for RO.