Opera Australia has announced its 2026 season.

Sidney Summer 2026

Puccini’s “Madama Butterfly” will be conducted by Andrea Battistoni, Paul Fitzsimon, and Erina Yashima. It will be directed by Moffatt Oxenbould and will star Guanqun Yu, Vittoria Yeo, and Olivia Cranwell alongside Robert Watson and Oreste Cosimo.

Performance Dates: Dec. 31, 2025-March 25, 2026

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Ann Yee directs a new production of Puccini’s “Turandot.” Rebecca Nash sings the title role alongside Anna-Louise Cole. Henrik Nánási, Nicholas Milton, Andrea Battistoni, and Tahu Matheson conduct.

Performance Dates: Jan. 15-March 27, 2026

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Tahu Matheson conducts Elijah Moshinsky’s production of Humperdinck’s “Hansel and Gretel.” Margaret Plummer and Stacey Alleaume star in the title roles.

Performance Dates: Jan. 27-Feb. 28, 2026

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Lauren Fagan and Andrei Bondarenko lead Tchaikovsky’s “Eugene Onegin” with Nicholas Jones. Anna Skryleva conducts the production by Kasper Holten.

Performance Dates: March 17-28, 2026

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Opera Up Late will be directed by Shaun Rennie and will include International comedy and cabaret star Reuben Kaye.

Performance Date: Feb. 21, 2026

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Sydney Winter 2026 

Lehár’s “The Merry Widow” will be conducted by Vanessa Scammell and directed by Graeme Murphy. Emma Pearson and Julie Lea Goodwin will share the role of Hanna and will star alongside Alexander Lewis and Alexandra Flood.

Performance Dates: July 8-August 18, 2026

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Sesto Quatrini conducts Dalibor Jenis in Verdi’s “Rigoletto.” The cast also stars Kang Wang as the Duke and Gemma Nha as Gilda. The production is by Elijah Moshinsky.

Performance Dates: July 21-August 21, 2026

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Palmer’s “The Drover’s Wife” will be conducted by Tahu Matheson and directed by Leah Purcell.

Performance Dates: August 7– 15, 2026

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Speranza Scappucci leads a celebration of Joan Sutherland’s centennial featuring Jessica Pratt and Kang Wang. Stuart Maunder will direct the evening.

Performance Date: August 20 & 22, 2026

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Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour 

Andrew Lloyd Webber’s “Phantom of the Opera” will celebrate its 40th anniversary with Guy Simpson conducting.

Performance Dates: March 27-April 26, 2026

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“Anastasia” will be revived.

Performance Dates: April 2026

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“My Fair Lady” will be co-directed by Julie Andrews and Karen Johnson Mortimer.

Performance Dates: September 2026

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Melbourne Autumn 2026

Verdi’s “La Traviata” will be conducted by Giampaolo Bisanti and directed by Sarah Giles. Stacey Alleaume and Samantha Clarke perform the role of Violetta while Filipe Manu and Oreste Cosimo take on the role of Alfredo.

Performance Dates: May 8-16, 2026

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Stuart Maunder conducts “Gilbert & Sullivan: A Musical Celebration” with Vanessa Scammell directing. Ben Mingay and Antoinette Halloran star accompanied by Orchestra Victoria.

Performance Dates: May 22-24, 2026

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Giampaolo Bisanti and Sam Weller conduct the 70th anniversary gala. Director Stuart Maunder leads the evening.

Performance Date: May 17, 2026

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“Encore! Songs from the Musicals” will be conducted by Vanessa Scammell and directed by Mark Sutcliffe.

Performance Dates: May 28-30, 2026

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Melbourne Spring 2026

Puccini’s “La Bohème” will be conducted by Finnegan Downie Dear and directed by Constantine Costi. Galina Cheplakova and Valeria Sepe share the role of Mimì with the support of tenors Kang Wang and Paride Cataldo, who perform Rodolfo.

Performance Dates: Nov. 7–18, 2026

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“Watershed: The Death of Dr. Duncan – Twist” will be conducted by Brett Weymark and directed by Neil Armfield.

Performance Dates: Nov. 21-28, 2026

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Shaun Rennie will direct “Opera Up Late” and will feature International comedy and cabaret star Reuben Kaye.

Performance Date: Nov. 15, 2026

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“The Trumpet of the Swan” will be performed.

Performance Dates: Nov. 20-22, 2026

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“Anastasia” will be revived. 

Performance Dates: December 2025

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Touring 2026

Mozart’s “Don Giovanni” will be directed by Michael Gow.

Performance Date: TBD

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Schubert’s “A Winter’s Journey” will be directed by Lindy Hume. Allan Clayton performs alongside pianist Kate Golla.

Performance Dates: Melbourne Recital Centre, Feb. 16 – 17, 2026; City Recital Hall, Sydney, Feb. 22 – 23, 2026