On Sept. 8, 2026, the Beirut International Opera Festival and Competition launched with an inaugural Grand Gala at the Roman style open air amphitheater of Zouk Mikaël in Lebanon.

The showcase, which featured mezzo-soprano Marina Viotti, drew more than 1,800 spectators. Per an official press release, this was Viotti’s first performance in the Middle East.

She appeared alongside Les Solistes de Beyrouth and an international symphony orchestra bringing together musicians from Lebanon, Switzerland, France, Portugal, Russia, Syria, Egypt, Greece, and Armenia.

Present at the performance were ambassadors, consuls, and senior representatives from more than 12 diplomatic missions, along with Lebanese government ministers, members of Parliament, and university representatives.

The festival’s International Opera Competition is scheduled to take place in 2027, alongside masterclasses and educational initiatives for young singers from Lebanon and internationally.

“Creating the Beirut International Opera Festival & Competition has been a deeply meaningful journey for me,” Fernando Afara, Founder & Artistic Director, told OperaWire. “It was a dream born from a desire to create, for the first time in the region, a space dedicated to opera where internationally acclaimed stars, local and international rising talents and artists, and audiences could come together in Beirut through gala concerts, an international competition, masterclasses, recitals and productions. Turning that dream into reality was a challenge due regional instability,  but with determination and perseverance, our love for opera and classical music, and the tremendous community, institutional and international support we received, this festival has seen the light. I am deeply grateful to everyone who contributed to making this dream a reality. Today, we have the foundation of an international platform for opera in Lebanon, building bridges between Lebanon, the region, and the international opera world. I hope the festival continues to flourish for generations to come.”