Opera Australia has announced a significant improvement in its financial position for 2025.

The company revealed that it had returned to break-even at an operating level after posting a loss of $10.1 million in 2024. On a consolidated basis including the Opera Australia Capital Fund, the company recorded a surplus of $3.6 million.

Total revenue reached $122.8 million, with box office income rising to $65.3 million from $50.7 million the prior year. Attendance climbed to 574,809 (up from 362,430 in 2024) across 457 performances, compared with 356 the year before.

“2025 was a year in which Opera Australia regained its footing,” said CEO Alex Budd, per an official press release. “While the 2025 result is certainly encouraging, our focus remains on building a company that is creatively ambitious, financially resilient and nationally and internationally significant over the long term.”

The 2025 season comprised 25 productions across 12 operas, nine concerts and recitals, and four musicals, with nine productions new to Australia and collaborations with 31 arts companies. Highlights included the Sydney premiere of Sarah Giles’ production of “Rusalka” starring soprano Nicole Car, Australian premieres of “Cendrillon” and the musical “Hadestown,” the latter drawing more than 185,000 attendees across Sydney and Melbourne. There was also a new production of “Carmen” by Anne-Louise Sarks, and a National Tour of “La Bohème” reaching audiences across six states and territories.

The Opera Australia Capital Fund continued to grow, with total equity reaching $37 million and delivering its largest annual distribution to date of $1.3 million.