Aveline Kirana
The Royal Opera has unveiled its highly anticipated 2026-27 season, a diverse and compelling program that promises to captivate audiences with a rich tapestry of operatic masterpieces and exciting new ventures. The season, commencing in September 2026 and concluding in July 2027, showcases a blend of iconic works and contemporary creations, featuring a stellar lineup of internationally renowned artists and directors. This ambitious schedule underscores The Royal Opera’s commitment to artistic excellence, innovation, and the exploration of opera’s evolving landscape.
A Season of Grand New Productions
The 2026-27 season is marked by a series of significant new productions, each poised to offer fresh perspectives on beloved operas and introduce audiences to new artistic visions.
Opening the season in October 2026 is a highly anticipated new staging of Richard Wagner’s monumental opera, Parsifal. Directed by the visionary Evgeny Titov, this production will be conducted by Jakub Hrůša, a maestro celebrated for his profound interpretations of Wagner. The titular role of Parsifal will be brought to life by Stanislas de Barbeyrac, with Ekaterina Gubanova as the enigmatic Kundry, Christian Gerhaher as the tormented Amfortas, Brindley Sherratt as the wise Gurnemanz, and Mark Stone as the villainous Klingsor. The opera, a profound exploration of chivalry, redemption, and spiritual awakening, will run from October 1st to 17th, 2026, offering audiences an immersive experience of Wagner’s mystical world.
Following in November 2026, the dramatic intensity of Giuseppe Verdi’s Un Ballo in Maschera will take center stage in a new production helmed by Philipp Stölzl. Jakub Hrůša will once again take the podium, leading a cast that includes Charles Castronovo as the ill-fated King Gustav III. Malin Byström will portray Amelia, with Aleksei Isaev as Count Anckarstroem. The pivotal role of Madame Ulrica Arvidson will be shared by mezzo-sopranos Anita Rachvelishvili and Kseniia Nikolaieva, while Katharina Konradi will bring her distinctive vocal and dramatic talent to the role of Oscar. This production, running from November 30th to December 18th, 2026, promises a powerful rendition of Verdi’s intricate plot of love, betrayal, and political intrigue.
The epic saga of Richard Wagner’s Götterdämmerung will be presented in a groundbreaking new production directed by Barrie Kosky, a director celebrated for his bold and theatrical approach. Antonio Pappano, Music Director of The Royal Opera, will conduct this monumental work, the final opera in Wagner’s "Ring Cycle." Andreas Schager will embody the heroic Siegfried, with Elisabet Strid as the formidable Brünnhilde. Mika Kares will portray the imposing Hagen, Thomas Lehman will sing Gunther, and Annika Schlicht will be featured as Waltraute. Christopher Purves returns to the role of Alberich, and Amanda Majeski will sing Gutrune. Performances are scheduled from January 21st to February 7th, 2027, completing a significant staging of Wagner’s magnum opus.
A significant highlight of the season is the world premiere of Good Sometimes Queen, a new opera by acclaimed composer Brett Dean and librettist Matthew Jocelyn. Directed by Ola Ince, this contemporary work will be presented at the Linbury Theatre from January 23rd to 29th, 2027. The vocal lead roles will be performed by soprano Jennifer France and mezzo-soprano Lotte Betts-Dean, accompanied by the esteemed Doric String Quartet. This commission represents The Royal Opera’s ongoing commitment to fostering new operatic voices and exploring relevant contemporary themes.
In February 2027, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s beloved comedy of errors, Così fan tutte, will be revived in a fresh production directed by Netia Jones. Thomas Hengelbrock will conduct the ensemble, featuring Louise Alder as Fiordiligi, Simone McIntosh as Dorabella, Mingjie Lei as Ferrando, and Huw Montague Rendall as Guglielmo. The seasoned Gerald Finley will portray the scheming Don Alfonso, with Emily Pogorelc as the sprightly Despina. Performances are scheduled from February 10th to 28th, 2027, offering a witty and insightful exploration of love and fidelity.
The Baroque era will be celebrated with a significant new production of Jean-Philippe Rameau’s Les Boréades at the Linbury Theatre in March 2027. Directed by RB Schlather, this co-production with Irish National Opera marks the first time a Rameau opera will be staged at Covent Garden. Camille Delaforge will conduct the Irish Baroque Orchestra, bringing the intricate harmonies and dramatic flair of 18th-century French opera to life. Performances will run from March 4th to 14th, 2027, offering a rare opportunity to experience this Baroque masterpiece.
Also gracing the Linbury Theatre stage in May 2027 is the Royal Opera premiere of Anna Thorvaldsdottir’s chamber opera, UR_. Directed by Netia Jones and presented as part of the RBO/SHIFT festival, this production underscores The Royal Opera’s dedication to showcasing contemporary and innovative operatic works. Performances are scheduled from May 27th to June 2nd, 2027.
Barrie Kosky returns to direct another monumental work, George Frideric Handel’s oratorio-turned-opera, Hercules, in June 2027. Conducted by Laurence Cummings, the cast will feature Anthony Robin Schneider in the title role, with Paula Murrihy as Dejanira. Mingjie Lei will sing Hyllus, Mary Bevan will be Iole, and Avery Amereau will portray Lichas. This production, running from June 18th to July 9th, 2027, promises a powerful exploration of myth, passion, and domestic strife.
Concluding the season of new productions in April and May 2027 is Francesco Maria Piave’s opera La Gioconda, with music by Amilcare Ponchielli, in a spectacular staging directed by Oliver Mears. This co-production with the Salzburg Easter Festival and Greek National Opera will be conducted by Antonio Pappano. The formidable Anna Netrebko takes on the iconic title role, opposite Stefan Pop as Enzo Grimaldo. Gabriele Viviani will be Barnaba, Eve-Maud Hubeaux as Laura Adorno, Tareq Nazmi as Alvise Badoero, and Agnieszka Rehlis as La Cieca. Performances are scheduled from April 29th to May 18th, 2027.
Acclaimed Revivals Illuminate the Main Stage
The 2026-27 season also boasts a compelling selection of revivals, bringing back cherished productions and celebrated performances to The Royal Opera’s stage.
Kicking off the revival season in September 2026 is Kasper Holten’s highly regarded production of Mozart’s Don Giovanni. Conducted by Stefano Montanari, this co-production with Gran Teatre del Liceu, Barcelona, The Israeli Opera, and Houston Grand Opera features a stellar cast, including Gordon Bintner as the titular libertine and Roberto Tagliavini as Leporello. The roles of Donna Anna and Donna Elvira will be shared by Rachel Willis-Sørensen and Lydia Grindatto, and Aigul Akhmetshina and Georgia Mae Ellis, respectively. Bogdan Volkov and Emmanuel Fonoti-Fuimaono will share Don Ottavio, with Giulia Semenzato and Sarah Brady as Zerlina, Dingle Yandell as Masetto, and Andreas Bauer Kanabas as The Commendatore. Performances run from September 10th to October 15th, 2026.
Richard Jones’s Olivier Award-winning production of Handel’s Alcina returns in September and October 2026. In a co-production with The Metropolitan Opera, New York, the cast is led by Lisette Oropesa as the powerful sorceress Alcina. Emily D’Angelo will sing Ruggiero, Mary Bevan as Morgana, and Beth Taylor as Bradamante. Ru Charlesworth and Edward Grint complete the cast. The production, renowned for its visual artistry and dramatic clarity, will be performed from September 15th to October 3rd, 2026.
Philip Venables and Ted Huffman’s powerful chamber opera 4:48 Psychosis, based on Sarah Kane’s seminal play, makes its highly anticipated debut on the Linbury Theatre stage in October 2026, a decade after its initial premiere. Conducted by Naomi Woo, this production, known for its raw emotional intensity and innovative musical language, will be presented from October 17th to 25th, 2026.
Damiano Michieletto’s dynamic production of Bizet’s Carmen returns in October and November 2026. Conducted by Sesto Quatrini, this co-production with Teatro Real, Madrid, and La Scala, Milan, features Ginger Costa-Jackson and Ramona Zaharia sharing the fiery title role. Russell Thomas and Valentyn Dytiuk will portray Don José, while Adriana González and Simona Mihai will be Micaëla. Alexander Vinogradov takes on the role of Escamillo. Performances are scheduled from October 29th to November 21st, 2026.
Mozart’s enchanting The Magic Flute, in David McVicar’s celebrated production, returns in December 2026 and continues into February 2027. Conducted by Dalia Stasevska and Julia Jones, the cast includes Elena Villalón, Marianna Hovanisyan, and Sofia Fomina as Pamina; Miles Mykkanen and David Fischer as Tamino; Mikhail Timoshenko and Konstantin Krimmel as Papageno; Aleksandra Olczyk and Olga Pudova as the Queen of the Night; and Adam Palka and Alexander Köpeczi as Sarastro. This production, beloved for its visual spectacle and magical storytelling, runs from December 13th, 2026, to February 17th, 2027.
Richard Jones’s masterful staging of Puccini’s Il Trittico, a trio of one-act operas, returns in March 2027, conducted by Speranza Scappucci. The cast for Il Tabarro features Étienne Dupuis as Michele, Natalya Romaniw as Giorgetta, and Seokjong Baek as Luigi. Ermonela Jaho sings Suor Angelica, with Raehann Bryce-Davis as La Zia Principessa. Bryn Terfel leads Gianni Schicchi in the title role, with Elena Villalón as Lauretta and Nico Darmanin as Rinuccio. Performances are scheduled from March 5th to 18th, 2027.
The acclaimed Olivier Award-winning production of Janáček’s Káťa Kabanová, by Richard Jones, returns in March and April 2027, conducted by Jakub Hrůša. This co-production with Teatro dell’Opera di Roma features Corinne Winters in the title role, with David Butt Philip as Boris Grigorjevič, Nicky Spence as Tichon, and Benjamin Hulett as Vaňá Kudrjaš. Rosie Aldridge sings Marfa Ignat’evna Kabanová, and Clive Bayley is Savěl Prokof’ič Dikoj. Performances run from March 22nd to April 10th, 2027.
Oliver Mears’s gripping production of Puccini’s Tosca returns in April and May 2027, conducted by Daniel Oren. Aleksandra Kurzak takes on the role of Floria Tosca, with Saimir Pirgu and Roberto Alagna sharing Mario Cavaradossi. Christopher Maltman will be Baron Scarpia. Performances are scheduled from April 12th to May 5th, 2027.
Robert Carsen’s iconic production of Verdi’s Aida returns in May and June 2027, conducted by Michele Mariotti. Angel Blue sings the titular Ethiopian princess, with Ivan Gyngazov as Radamès. Ekaterina Semenchuk portrays Amneris, and Alexey Markov is Amonasro. Performances run from May 19th to June 12th, 2027.
Moshe Leiser and Patrice Caurier’s evocative production of Puccini’s Madama Butterfly returns in July 2027, conducted by Henrik Nánási. This co-production with Gran Teatre del Liceu, Barcelona, features Elena Stikhina, Hrachuhí Bassénz, and Asmik Grigorian sharing the role of Cio-Cio-San. Saimir Pirgu, Seokjong Baek, and Joshua Guerrero will share Lieutenant Pinkerton. Lucas Meachem and Gevorg Hakobyan are Sharpless, and Jennifer Johnson Cano and Hongni Wu are Suzuki. Performances are scheduled from July 4th to 24th, 2027.
Christof Loy’s acclaimed production of Richard Strauss’s Elektra returns for its first revival since its 2024 premiere in July 2027, conducted by Semyon Bychkov. Ausrine Stundyte sings the tormented title role, with Sara Jakubiak as Chrysothemis. Violeta Urmana portrays Klytämnestra, Derek Welton is Orest, and Charles Workman sings Aegisth. Performances run from July 12th to 24th, 2027.
Special Performances and Anniversary Celebrations
Beyond the mainstage productions, The Royal Opera’s 2026-27 season will feature special events and celebrations. On April 2nd, 2027, Jakub Hrůša will conduct the Orchestra of the Royal Opera House in a powerful concert pairing Igor Stravinsky’s The Rite of Spring with Béla Bartók’s Duke Bluebeard’s Castle. Elīna Garanča will sing Judith and Christian Van Horn will be Duke Bluebeard in this compelling orchestral and operatic double bill.
The season will also mark the 25th anniversary of the Jette Parker Artists Programme. Celebrations include a series of intimate Crush Room recitals throughout the season, a Silver Anniversary Exhibition in the Linbury Foyer, and a grand celebratory evening of music in the Linbury Theatre on April 21st, 2027. The annual Jukebox event will return, and the season will culminate with the Jette Parker Artists Summer Performance on the Main Stage on July 25th, 2027, directed by Talia Stern and conducted by Giovanni Fanizza.
The 2026-27 season at The Royal Opera represents a significant artistic undertaking, promising a year of extraordinary operatic experiences that will engage, challenge, and inspire audiences. The breadth of repertoire, the calibre of artists, and the commitment to new work signal a vibrant future for opera at Covent Garden.
