Looking Ahead to the 2026/27 Season
As we look ahead to the 2026/27 season, we are reminded why opera continues to hold a meaningful place in our city. At its best, this art form brings people together to share music and emotion in a way that is both immediate and lasting. This season is shaped with that sense of connection at its core.
The season ahead is one of rediscovery. It invites us to return to works that have shaped our history and to experience them again with renewed perspective and care. These productions reflect our belief in opera as an art form rooted in imagination and the shared experience of being in the theatre together.
We begin with Rossini’s The Barber of Seville – a work that captures the joy and confidence of opera at full speed. Fast-moving and clever, Barber is unapologetically entertaining, reminding us that opera has always known how to delight its audiences. It opens the season with energy and momentum, setting the tone for what follows.
At the heart of our season is the Rumbold Vocal Prize – a program that reflects our deep commitment to artists and to the future of opera in Canada. More than a competition, it is a platform that supports emerging talent, creates professional opportunities, and helps launch careers. By investing in voices early and thoughtfully, we help ensure the continued vitality of this art form.
Later in the season, The Magic Flute offers a contrasting experience shaped by wonder and reflection. This opera explores music as a guiding force, capable of leading us through uncertainty toward understanding. Our new production invites audiences into a world of wonder, where beauty and meaning unfold side by side.
Beyond the mainstage, the season continues to expand opera into the life of our city. Programs such as Opera al Fresco and Opera Pub create opportunities to encounter opera in shared, welcoming spaces, and to experience this art form in ways that feel immediate and communal.
Access and belonging remain central to our work. Through initiatives such as Youth for Free, we continue to remove barriers and welcome young people into the opera house early, helping to build a lasting relationship with opera.
We are grateful to the artists, musicians, arts workers, donors, funders, volunteers, and audiences who make this work possible. Whether you join us for one performance or choose to make this your season of opera, we look forward to welcoming you to the theatre for a year shaped by shared experiences and powerful storytelling.
- Robin Whiffen, Executive Director
- Joel Ivany, Artistic Director