He studied piano in London with Denis Matthews and studied conducting with Otmar Suitner at the Mozarteum Academy and Hans Swarowsky at the Vienna Academy.
He attended the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama and Bristol University.
In the 80s, he served as conductor of the San Jose Symphony Youth Orchestra and was Music Director of Glimmerglass Opera from 1988 to 2006.
His recording for Bennett's "The Mines Of Sulphur" was nominated for Best Opera Recording at the Grammys. He also recorded Stephen Hartke's opera "The Greater Good" for Naxos.
Robertson became the youngest conductor to lead a performance at the Cologne Opera. He went on to serve as Music Director of the Zurich Ballet and Scottish Opera Touring Company.