Austin Opera has announced its 2025-2026 Season celebrating its 40th birthday as well as the 10th anniversary of Annie Burridge’s tenure as General Director & CEO.

The season opens with “Celebrate Opera! A Spectacular Birthday Concert” which will celebrate Austin Opera’s 40 years. Timothy Myers leads the Austin Opera Orchestra & Chorus and a cast of guest vocalists in famous arias and ensembles from operatic masterpieces like Verdi’s “Aida” and Puccini’s “Turandot.” The event will also include performances of “Make Our Garden Grow” from Bernstein’s “Candide,” and selections from “West Side Story” and “Carousel.”

Soloists include Leah Crocetto, Jonathan Burton, Zoie Reams, and Malcolm MacKenzie.

Performance Dates: Nov. 15 & 16, 2025

Rodgers & Hammerstein’s “Carousel” will star Lauren Snouffer, Mark Diamond, Mela Sarajane Daily, Ryan Everett Wood, and Robert Faires. Timothy Myers leads the Austin Opera Orchestra & Chorus and Anne Bogart directs.

Performance Dates: Feb. 5-8, 2026

Puccini’s “La bohème” closes the season with Eboni Adams making her company debut as director. The cast will include tenor Joshua Blue and Demetrious Sampson, Jr. as Rodolfo, Hailey Clark as Mimì, Troy Cook as Marcello, and Jasmine Habersham as Musetta.

Performance Dates: April 30-May 3, 2026

The season will also see the Opening of the Sarah & Ernest Butler Performing Arts Center in Spring 2026. When the building opens to the public in spring 2026, the building will enable Austin Opera to engage its community year-round with a broader range of programming, while also addressing the performing arts community’s critical need for affordable performance and rehearsal space in Austin.