Chicago Opera Theater has announced its 2026-27 season.

“Together, these programs reflect a strategic deepening of COT’s commitment not only to what appears on stage,” said COT General Director Lawrence Edelson, “but also to how opera is created, how Chicago-based artists are supported, and how the next generation of audiences is cultivated through meaningful access and early engagement.”

The season opens with the Chicago Premiere of “The Importance of Being Earnest” by Mario Castelnuovo-Tedesco. This new production will be directed by Brenna Corner, Artistic Director of Pacific Opera Victoria, and conducted by Kamna Gupta, both making their COT debuts. The cast features Vanessa Becerra as Gwendolen Fairfax and mezzo-soprano Leah Dexter as Miss Prism, alongside the company debuts of soprano Veronique Filloux as Cecily Cardew, mezzo-soprano Emily Triegle as Lady Augusta Bracknell, and tenors Martin Luther Clark as Algernon Moncrief and Omar Najmi as John “Jack” Worthing.

Performance Dates: Dec. 2-6, 2026

The second production of the season will be Chicago Premiere of “The Juniper Tree” by Philip Glass and Robert Moran. The Chicago premiere will be directed by COT General Director Lawrence Edelson and conducted by Brian DeMaris, General Director of Arizona Opera. The cast features soprano Janai Brugger as Wife, soprano Veronique Filloux  as Daughter, mezzo soprano Emily Triegle as Step-Mother and Laureano Quant as Husband. The cast also includes bass Chris Filipowicz as Goldsmith, baritone Lifan Deng as Cobbler, and tenor Jerek Fernandez as Miller.

Performance Dates: May 19-23, 2027

 Discovery Concerts

 The first program of Discovery Concerts will be “On the Wilde Side.” Michael Banwarth makes his debut with COT as pianist and music director for this program.

Performance Date: Oct. 18, 2026

The second concert, “Once Upon a Time,” will be presented with Yasuko Oura as pianist and music director for this program.

Performance Date: Feb. 7, 2027

Launch of Chicago Sings: A New Commissioning Initiative

 The 2026-27 season marks the launch of “Chicago Sings,” a bold new commissioning initiative supporting Chicago-based composers in the creation of full-length operas for mainstage production. Each opera will be developed over a multi-year period, fostering sustained collaboration among composers, librettists, guest artists and COT’s artistic leadership, and culminating in a fully staged production as part of the company’s regular season—offering Chicago audiences the first opportunity to experience these new works.

COT will perform “Inventing Oz” by composer Stacy Garrop as the first Chicago Sings commission. “Inventing Oz” is projected to premiere in 2029.