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Longborough Festival Opera 2026 programme presents three new productions and a celebrated revival
The world-class opera festival in the Cotswolds presents new productions of Handel’s Orlando, Verdi’s Macbeth and Humperdinck’s Hansel and Gretel alongside a revival of its acclaimed 2017 Tristan und Isolde.
UPDATE: Waterperry Opera Festival announces thrilling 2026 programme and casting
Another vibrant season of high-quality opera in English at the stunning Waterperry House & Gardens, championing young artists, welcoming new audiences, and featuring a guest recital from Roderick Williams OBE.
Waterperry Opera Festival is delighted to announce its full programme for the 2026 Festival, a richly varied summer of opera building on the festival’s record-breaking growth and reaffirming its mission to nurture the next generation of artists while widening access to the art form. The festival returns this summer from 7-16 August, under the new leadership of Artistic Director and CEO John Savournin.
Priority Booking opens from 3rd March, with General Booking opening 31st March 2026.
Ellen Kent’s Farewell Opera Tour brings Madama Butterfly and Carmen to Southend’s Cliffs Pavilion
Award-winning producer Ellen Kent returns to the Cliffs Pavilion in Southend in Spring 2026 with Opera International Kyiv, Ukraine presenting stunning classical productions of Puccini’s Madama Butterfly on Tuesday 3 March and Bizet’s Carmen on Saturday 18 April. For this 2026 tour, Ellen Kent celebrates the Farewell Opera Tour, seeing the opera company embark on its last UK tour.
Bampton Classical Opera 2026
André Grétry Zemira e Azor (‘Beauty and the Beast’) (1771/1776)
Performances:
Cokethorpe School, Witney, Oxfordshire: Friday 17, Saturday 18 July
Westonbirt School, Gloucestershire: Monday 31 August
Smith Square Hall, London: Friday 18 September
4th Edition of the biennial Maestra International Competition for Women Conductors – February 23–28, 2026
In 2020 the Paris Mozart Orchestra and the Philharmonie de Paris joined forces to create La Maestra International Competition for Women Conductors, to be held biennially at the Philharmonie de Paris. The competition is complemented by an Academy providing professional guidance and support to the laureates over a two-year period.
Pittsburgh Opera announced the hiring of William Powers as its new General Director, effective 1 July 2026
William Powers will succeed Christopher Hahn who has served as Pittsburgh Opera’s General Director since 2008 and is retiring at the end of the 2025-26 season. Hahn had been Pittsburgh Opera’s Artistic Director from 2000-2008, becoming the second-longest serving in the company’s 87-year history. Richard Karp, the company’s first director, held the position from 1942 to 1977.
Leeds Song Festival announces 2026 programme
Leeds Song Festival returns from Saturday 11 April to Saturday 18 April 2026, bringing together some of the world’s most captivating voices, inspiring musicians, cutting-edge creators, and rising stars for a packed week-long celebration of art song.
Alexander Neef, Director General of the Paris Opera, announces the appointment of Semyon Bychkov as Music Director, effective 1 August 2028, for four seasons.
From 1 August 2026, Semyon Bychkov will accompany the musical ensembles of the Paris National Opera as Appointed Music Director.
A leading figure on the international music scene, Semyon Bychkov is renowned for his mastery of both the symphonic and operatic repertoires and for the importance he attaches to the dialogue between orchestra, voices and stage. His appointment marks a new chapter in the artistic project of the Paris Opera, under the direction of Alexander Neef.