The Dayton Performing Arts Alliance has announced its 2026-27 season, featuring collaborations between Dayton Opera, Dayton Ballet, and the Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra under Music and Artistic Director Keitaro Harada.

“West Side Story” will bring together all three DPAA companies in a production conducted by Harada and presented in collaboration with Wright State University.

Performance Dates: Sept. 26-27, 2026

Haydn’s “Mass in Time of War” will be conducted by guest conductor Joel Smirnoff and performed by the Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra Chorus and Dayton Opera Artists-in-Residence, alongside cellist Miriam K. Smith. Beethoven’s Coriolan Overture and Barber’s Cello Concerto also feature on the program.

Performance Dates: Nov. 21, 2026

Händel’s “Messiah” will be performed by the Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra and Chamber Chorus.

Performance Dates: Dec. 16, 2026

“Opera Is for Lovers,” an intimate Valentine’s concert, will be led by Dayton native Howard Watkins, Assistant Conductor at the Metropolitan Opera, joined by Dayton Opera soloists in an evening of arias and duets.

Performance Dates: Feb. 13, 2027

Flutopia pairs Mozart’s Flute Concerto No. 1, featuring Principal Flute Elvin Schlanger, with a reimagined concert presentation of “The Magic Flute,” conceived by outgoing Artistic Director Kathleen Clawson and Harada.

Performance Dates: Mar. 13-14, 2027

Puccini’s “La bohème,” directed by Clawson and conducted by Harada, closes the Opera Series with the Dayton Opera Chorus and Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra.

Performance Dates: May 22-23, 2027