THE BARBER OF SEVILLE, THE LITTLE PRINCE, and LA TRAVIATA Set for Opera Modesto 2026/27 Season

Opera Modesto has announced its 2026-2027 season, a lineup that blends operatic masterpieces with impactful education and community programs.

The Opera Modesto season kicks off in September with Gioachino Rossini's The Barber of Seville, presented at the Gallo Center for the Arts on September 11 and 13, 2026. This fast-paced comic opera, featuring the clever and charismatic Figaro, remains one of the most beloved works in the operatic repertoire, with melodies familiar to audiences of all ages.

Opera Modesto's commitment to education takes center stage in January with Rachel Portman's The Little Prince, presented as part of the company's Story‑Into‑Song Literacy Initiative. Performed at the State Theatre on January 16 and 17, 2027, the production will then tour community theaters throughout the Central Valley in January and February. This nationally unique education program brings literature to life through fully staged opera performances aligned with multi‑disciplinary school curricula. In 2026, the program reached 13,000 audience members through 41 performances in 11 community theaters across 4 counties.

The season concludes with Giuseppe Verdi's La Traviata, presented at the Gallo Center for the Arts on April 23 and 25, 2027. One of opera's most heart wrenching love stories, La Traviata tells the tale of a Parisian courtesan who sacrifices everything for love.

Opera Modesto's commitment to serve the local community will continue with the 8th annual Summer Opera Institute in July of 2026. This intensive two-week training program is for youth artists graduating from 8th-12th grade in the Central Valley and is preceded by six weeks of private music instruction. Designed to strengthen musicianship, build performance skills, and foster confidence and leadership, the institute also creates a lasting community for teens facing isolation and loneliness. The program concludes with a free public performance at CSU Stanislaus on Friday, July 24.

The annual Around the World Concert in December will celebrate the diverse heritages of Central Valley residents. In this concert, community members share traditional music and folk culture from their unique ancestral backgrounds. There have been as many as 15 languages and styles presented in these concerts, unique instrumentation, and tears and laughter from many in the audience.

Additional events and concerts will be announced throughout the season.

THE BARBER OF SEVILLE

Music by Gioachino Rossini
September 11 & 13, 2026
Gallo Center for the Arts

Opera Modesto opens its 2026–2027 season with Rossini’s comic opera THE BARBER OF SEVILLE, featuring the adventures of Figaro and some of opera’s most recognizable melodies.

THE LITTLE PRINCE

Music by Rachel Portman
January 16 & 17, 2027
State Theatre

Presented as part of Opera Modesto’s Story-Into-Song Literacy Initiative, THE LITTLE PRINCE will also tour community theaters throughout California’s Central Valley in January and February 2027.

AROUND THE WORLD CONCERT

December 2026
Location TBA

Opera Modesto’s annual concert celebrating the cultural traditions and musical heritage of Central Valley communities will return in December 2026.

LA TRAVIATA

Music by Giuseppe Verdi
April 23 & 25, 2027
Gallo Center for the Arts

The season concludes with Verdi’s LA TRAVIATA, the story of Violetta Valéry and one of opera’s best-known tragic romances.

SUMMER OPERA INSTITUTE

July 2026
California State University, Stanislaus

2026 Theater Fans' Choice Awards - Live Stats

Best Original Score - Top 3

1. The Rescues , The Rescues - The Lost Boys

34.8% of votes

2. Jim Barne, Kit Buchan - Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York)

26.6% of votes

3. Cinco Paul - Schmigadoon!

26.4% of votes

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