Opera Columbus announced its 2026-27 season on February 23, themed “American Icons” in recognition of the company’s 45th anniversary and the nation’s 250th anniversary. General Director and CEO Julia Noulin-Mérat described the programming as “a bold re-examination of American identity through ambitious storytelling on a city-wide scale.”

The season opens November 6-8, 2026, with the regional premiere of “Pirates! The Penzance Musical” at the Palace Theatre, a new adaptation of Gilbert and Sullivan’s comic opera relocated to New Orleans with jazz and blues influences following the production’s Broadway run. December brings a “Messiah Sing-Along” series distributed across Columbus breweries, cafés, and community gathering spaces. In February 2027, Puccini’s “The Girl of the Golden West” will be presented at the Southern Theatre, directed by Kenneth Overton and conducted by Principal Guest Conductor Everett McCorvey.

The season concludes with two productions in spring 2027: an operatic adaptation of Stephen King’s “The Shining” (April 16-18, Palace Theatre), timed to the novel’s 50th anniversary, followed by the Cooper-Bing Vocal Competition (May 16, Southern Theatre), which awards a $10,000 grand prize to emerging singers. The competition is open to international applicants.

Source: BroadwayWorld