LA Opera announces its 2025/26 season

Let the celebrations begin!

LA Opera unveils its dazzling 40th Anniversary Season with unforgettable performances and star-studded talent!

Excitement is building at LA Opera — President and CEO Christopher Koelsch has announced the highly anticipated details for the prestigious company’s spectacular 40th Anniversary Season, kicking off on September 20, 2025. And this season is set to be a milestone, as it marks the legendary James Conlon’s 20th and final season as Music Director before he transitions to the esteemed position of Conductor Laureate. To celebrate, Conlon will conduct three of the five mainstage productions, alongside some incredible guest conductors, including Lina González-Granados and Dalia Stasevska, ensuring an unforgettable lineup of musical brilliance.

But that’s not all! In addition to the stunning mainstage productions at the iconic Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, the season will feature four exclusive concerts and a series of performances through LA Opera’s Off Grand and Connects initiatives, expanding the reach of this milestone celebration to even more audiences.

Mainstage Performances:

Kickoff with a Bang: James Conlon’s monumental 20th season begins with an electrifying company premiere of Leonard Bernstein’s West Side Story, directed by Francesca Zambello and featuring the unforgettable original choreography by Jerome Robbins. Starring the brilliant Gabriella Reyes and Duke Kim, this production promises to be an iconic highlight.

Puccini Returns: The beloved La Bohème takes the stage once again in a stirring revival of Herbert Ross’s classic production. Conducted by Lina González-Granados and starring Janai Brugger, Oreste Cosimo, and Erica Petrocelli, this timeless opera is sure to captivate audiences with its passion and poignancy.

Epic Revival: Philip Glass’s Akhnaten returns in the sensational Phelim McDermott production, seen here in 2016 to critical acclaim. Starring the remarkable John Holiday, this revival, conducted by Dalia Stasevska, is set to be a mesmerizing experience that pushes the boundaries of opera.

Verdi’s Finale: Falstaff, Verdi’s glorious comic masterpiece, will have Craig Colclough in the starring role, conducted by James Conlon in a revival of the 2013 production directed by Lee Blakeley. Prepare for a night of sharp wit and vibrant music!

Conlon’s Grand Finale: James Conlon will close out his brilliant 20-year tenure as Music Director with Mozart’s The Magic Flute, in the globally adored staging by Barrie Kosky and Suzanne Andrade. This production features the internationally acclaimed Kwangchul Youn making his company debut as Sarastro, and it promises to be the perfect crowning jewel of Conlon’s illustrious career at LA Opera.

And don’t forget about the star-studded solo performances throughout the season, including the likes of Juan Diego Flórez, Patti LuPone, and Renée Fleming, along with a special gala concert celebrating James Conlon’s monumental legacy!

Off Grand Performances:

The thrills continue with LA Opera’s Off Grand initiatives, starting with a spine-tingling annual Halloween tradition at the United Theater on Broadway: a live performance of the legendary 1925 silent film The Phantom of the Opera, with the LA Opera Orchestra performing Roy Budd’s acclaimed score.

World Premiere Alert! In a collaboration with Beth Morrison Projects, LA Opera presents Hildegard, a brand-new opera by Sarah Kirkland Snider based on the writings of the fascinating composer and mystic Hildegard von Bingen, at The Wallis. This world premiere promises to be a truly captivating experience.

The season will also feature a stellar recital by Ben Bliss, the internationally celebrated tenor and former LAO young artist, as well as a first-ever recital at LA Opera for soprano Nadine Sierra, one of the brightest stars of the opera world, at the intimate Zipper Hall at The Colburn School. Plus, the Paris-based ensemble Les Talens Lyriques, led by Christopher Rousset, will enchant with a concert of Handel’s finest works at Zipper Hall, joined by soprano Sandrine Piau.

Connects Performances:

LA Opera Connects will also shine brightly this season, with multiple performances designed to bring opera to diverse communities. The world premiere of The Tower of Babel, a powerful new opera commissioned from composer-librettist Carla Lucero, will be presented at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels under the baton of James Conlon. This is a can’t-miss event that will surely leave audiences spellbound.

Get ready for an unforgettable 40th season at LA Opera, where world-class performances, incredible talent, and groundbreaking productions will make this anniversary year one for the history books! For complete casting, schedules, and additional details, be sure to visit LAOpera.org.