Opera Australia Unveils Huge 2026 Season Celebrating Their 70th Anniversary

Opera Australia are celebrating their 70th anniversary in 2026, and to mark the occasion, they will be showcasing a season of rising stars alongside some of the greatest opera directors of our time. 

Opera Australia’s 70th anniversary season will  pay tribute to the audiences, loyal supporters, performers, and skilled creators who have moulded the company’s legacy for over seven decades.

“The unwavering support of our generous supporters, among them donors, corporate partners and government investors allows us to bring these exceptional experiences of music and song to our stages, “said Acting CEO Simon Militano. 

Remarkable talents will be on the stage for the 2026 season, with the most noteworthy directors being Elijah Moshinsky, Moffat Oxenbould, Neil Armfield, and Graeme Murphy.  

These revered artists will be joined by the recent collaborators of Leah Purcell, Sarah Giles, Ann Yee, and Constantine Costi. 

“We’re proud to present a season of extraordinary productions that revive some operatic masterpieces and crowd favourites and invest in new productions that shine a light on emerging talent and stories that reflect the diversity of Australian communities,” said Militano.

What’s coming to stages for the Opera Australia 70th anniversary season?

The Sydney summer program will be offering Sydneysiders and visitors a standout season for 2026.

The program will be opening with Moffatt Oxenbould’s production of Madame Butterfly, and features the international award-winning director Ann Yee with Turandot, encompassing big sets and immersive visuals. 

Other artists include Elijah Moshinsky with Hansel & Gretel, Kasper Holten with Eugene Onegin, and Shaun Rennie with Opera Up Late. 

As Sydney rolls into winter, Opera Australia will continue its celebrations with the return of the milestone show, The Merry Widow by director Graeme Murphy, to the Sydney premiere of Leah Purcell’s The Drover’s Wife. 

The complete program includes Elijah Moshinsky with Rigoletto, Stuart Maunder with La Stupenda: A Joan Sutherland Celebration. 

In the spirit of anniversaries, Opera Australia will be celebrating the 40th anniversary of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s global phenomenon Phantom of the Opera, on the stunning Handa Opera stage.

2026 also marks the 100th birthday of the late Dame Joan Sutherland, and Opera Australia will present La Stupenda: A Joan Sutherland Celebration in the theatre that bears her name at the Opera House. Paying homage to the legendary soprano and honouring her pivotal role in elevating the company’s global profile will be one of Australia’s most exceptional sopranos, Jessica Pratt — who has famously followed in Sutherland’s footsteps.

To kickstart the Melbourne Autumn program, award-winning director Sarah Giles’ production of La Traviata will make the debut at the Regent Theatre. 

This program will continue with Stuart Maunder’s Gilbert & Sullivan: A Musical Celebration and Mark Sutcliffe’s Encore! Songs From the Musicals. 

Constantine Costi’s La Boheme is among the most eagerly anticipated highlights of the season.

The rising star will be followed by the directors Neil Armfield with Watershed, Shaun Rennie with Opera Up Late and E.B White with The Trumpet of The Swan.

For more information, you can visit the Opera Australia website.