New Orleans Opera has postponed the opening of the 2020-21 season.

The company announced the news in a statement noting “As eager as we are to see you again and enjoy live opera together, we must proceed with everyone’s well-being and safety as the topmost priority. The current climb in COVID-19 cases across the state has caused us to re-evaluate our aspiration of opening our season in the fall. We have made the difficult decision to postpone the 2020-2021 season’s start until January 2021 – a three-month delay.”

The season will now open in January 2021 with a production of Beethoven’s “Fidelio” followed by productions of “The Magic Flute,” “Porgy and Bess,” and “Madama Butterfly.”

Here are the new dates for the season:

Beethoven’s “Fidelio” – Friday, Jan. 15 and Saturday, Jan. 16, 2021

Mozart’s “The Magic Flute”– Friday, March 19 and Sunday, March 21, 2021

Gershwin’s “Porgy and Bess” – Friday, April 30, 2021 and Sunday, May 2, 2021

Puccini’s “Madama Butterfly” – Friday, May 21 and Sunday, May 23, 2021