Opera Orlando Will Present Six-Production 2026-27 Season With Bold New Brand Identity
The lineup includes six productions across three venues, anchored at Dr. Phillips Center's Steinmetz Hall
Opera Orlando has announced its 2026–2027 season, which will include six productions presented across three venues. The season will open in the fall at Steinmetz Hall at Dr. Phillips Center and continue with performances in community and site-specific settings before concluding in May with a concert production of Show Boat.
“Opera is the most expressive, most athletic, most completely alive and visceral art form that exists,” said artistic director Grant Preisser.
OPERA ON THE MAINSTAGE
MADAME BUTTERFLY — OCTOBER 2–4, 2026
The season will open with Puccini’s Madame Butterfly, which follows Cio-Cio San, a young woman who waits for the return of her American husband. The production will star soprano Yeawon Jun in the title role and tenor Isaac Hurtado as Lt. Pinkerton. Kalena Bovell will conduct in her Company debut, with stage direction by Rebecca A. Herman.
THE FLYING DUTCHMAN — JANUARY 22–24, 2027
Wagner’s The Flying Dutchman will mark the Company’s first production of a Wagner opera. The work centers on a cursed sailor who seeks redemption through love. Baritone Darren Drone will perform the title role, with soprano Johanna Will as Senta. Geoffrey Loff will conduct, and the production will be directed by Grant Preisser.
THE ELIXIR OF LOVE — APRIL 23–25, 2027
Donizetti’s The Elixir of Love will be presented in a production set on a 1960s film studio backlot inspired by La Dolce Vita. The opera follows Nemorino, who seeks to win the affection of Adina with the help of a supposed love potion. Soprano Nola Richardson will make her Company debut as Adina, with Eleomar Cuello as Belcore and Robert Mellon as Dulcamara. Maria Sensi Sellner will conduct, with direction by Grant Preisser.
SPECIAL EVENT
SHOW BOAT — MAY 14–16, 2027
The season will conclude with a semi-staged concert production of Show Boat by Jerome Kern and Oscar Hammerstein II, presented in collaboration with the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra and Bethune-Cookman University. The production will be directed by Roberta Emerson and conducted by Dr. Everett McCorvey.
OPERA FOR THE COMMUNITY
BRUNDIBÁR / VEDEM — DECEMBER 12–13, 2026
Presented by the Opera Orlando Youth Company at Orlando Family Stage, this program will include Hans Krása’s Brundibár and Lori Laitman’s Vedem, works connected to artistic creation during World War II at the Theresienstadt concentration camp.
OPERA ON SITE
MARÍA DE BUENOS AIRES — MARCH 4–6, 2027
Ástor Piazzolla and Horacio Ferrer’s María de Buenos Aires will be presented in a site-specific production at 1010 West Church Street, transforming the venue into a tango club setting for the story of María.
Subscriptions for the season are available now, with MainStage packages including Madame Butterfly, The Flying Dutchman, and The Elixir of Love, and Show Boat offered as an add-on.
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