About
From July 2 to August 28, 2027, the Santa Fe Opera celebrates its 70th Season with five productions spanning grand opera, comedy, psychological drama and contemporary music. Set against the spectacular high-desert landscape of New Mexico, the festival combines celebrated masterpieces with new productions and an eagerly anticipated American premiere.
The season opens with Puccini’s Turandot, returning to Santa Fe for the first time since 2005 in a new-to-the-company production directed by Paul Curran and conducted by John Fiore. The cast features acclaimed soprano Angela Meade in the title role, tenor Arturo Chacón-Cruz as Calàf and soprano Kathleen O’Mara as Liù.
Rossini’s The Barber of Seville follows on July 3 in the popular 2022 production by Stephen Barlow, while Mozart’s Così fan tutte arrives on July 17 in a new staging by Amy Lane, conducted by Erina Yashima. The cast brings together Mané Galoyan and Samantha Hankey as Fiordiligi and Dorabella, alongside Giovanni Sala and Justin Austin in their Santa Fe debuts.
On July 24, Janáček’s Kátya Kabanová receives a new production directed by David Pountney and conducted by Santa Fe Opera Music Director Harry Bicket. Ailyn Pérez takes the title role, joined by John Findon, Rosie Aldridge, Ryan Capozzo, Emily Sierra, Peixin Chen and John Daszak.
The festival culminates in the American premiere of Brett Dean’s Of One Blood, a contemporary opera exploring the intertwined lives of Mary, Queen of Scots and Elizabeth I. Directed by Claus Guth, the production features Emily Richter as Mary Stuart and Ambur Braid as Elizabeth I.
Beyond the mainstage productions, the season includes the Apprentice Scenes on August 15 and a Gala Concert on August 22 featuring the Santa Fe Opera Orchestra and the next generation of opera artists, conducted by Erina Yashima. Tailgate picnics, preview dinners, backstage tours and free Prelude Talks add to the distinctive atmosphere of a summer evening at Santa Fe Opera.
Santa Fe Opera Festival 2027 is the main event of the year with the participation of world classical music stars.
If you are interested in this schedule leave a request. As soon as the playbill is announced, we will let you know immediately, and you will be the first to get the tickets.
In each section, you will get the best seats for the same price - centrally located and in front rows.
We provide seats with the best acoustics only.
Even in the world's best concert halls and opera houses, the listening conditions can vary greatly, and some seats are better than others. Sometimes nearby seats have very different viewing and listening conditions.
Usually, these seats are sold out soon and available for early bookers only. We guarantee that you will receive full-view seats only.
Detailed information about the 2026 Festival will be added later.
Please read about the previous Santa Fe Opera Festival 2026:
The Santa Fe Opera Festival 2026 invites audiences to experience opera in one of the most extraordinary settings in the world — where breathtaking desert landscapes, innovative productions, and world-class voices come together under the famous New Mexico sky. From July 3 to August 29, 2026, the Santa Fe Opera presents its 69th season, continuing its tradition of artistic discovery, bold storytelling, and unforgettable evenings of music theatre.
Founded in 1957, the Santa Fe Opera has become one of America’s leading summer opera festivals, renowned for its distinctive open-air theatre, adventurous repertoire, and commitment to both celebrated masterpieces and new works. The 2026 season brings together five productions that span centuries of opera — from Baroque elegance to Romantic drama and contemporary creation.
The season opens with Puccini’s beloved masterpiece Madama Butterfly, a deeply moving story of love, sacrifice, and hope. The production features conductor John Fiore, with Karen Chia-ling Ho as Cio-Cio-San, Stephen Costello as Pinkerton, and Sun-Ly Pierce as Suzuki. This revival brings together powerful voices and the emotional richness of Puccini’s unforgettable score.
Mozart’s timeless The Magic Flute appears in a new production created in collaboration with Garsington Opera. Conducted by Santa Fe Opera Music Director Harry Bicket and directed by Christopher Luscombe, the production presents Mozart’s enchanting world of imagination, humour, and human transformation.
The festival continues with Tchaikovsky’s Eugene Onegin, a poetic exploration of love, regret, and missed opportunities. The production features conductor Keri-Lynn Wilson, with Olga Kulchynska as Tatyana, Mattia Olivieri as Eugene Onegin, and Iván Ayón-Rivas as Lensky. Directed by Alessandro Talevi, the staging returns to the Santa Fe stage with renewed emotional depth.
Another highlight of the season is Handel’s Baroque masterpiece Rodelinda, conducted by Harry Bicket and directed by R. B. Schlather. The cast includes acclaimed countertenor Iestyn Davies as Bertarido, with Lucy Crowe in the title role. Their collaboration brings extraordinary vocal refinement and dramatic intensity to Handel’s music.
The 2026 season also presents the American premiere of Lili Elbe by composer Tobias Picker and librettist Aryeh Lev Stollman, a powerful contemporary opera inspired by the life of Danish artist Lili Elbe. The production expands the festival’s tradition of presenting new works that explore important human stories.
The open-air theatre creates an experience where opera feels immediate, intimate, and unforgettable. The Santa Fe Opera Festival 2026 is a celebration of imagination, discovery, and the timeless power of opera.
About the Santa Fe Opera Festival
Set against the dramatic landscape of northern New Mexico, the Santa Fe Opera Festival is one of the most distinctive and internationally respected opera festivals in the United States. Known for its innovative productions, breathtaking natural setting, and commitment to artistic excellence, the festival offers a unique experience where opera, architecture, and the beauty of the Southwest come together.
Founded in 1957 by John Crosby, the festival was created with a vision of presenting opera in a new and inspiring environment. Since its beginnings, Santa Fe Opera has become famous for its adventurous repertoire, combining beloved masterpieces with rare works and new commissions that expand the boundaries of the art form.
The festival’s home is the remarkable Santa Fe Opera House, an open-air theatre designed to embrace the surrounding landscape. With its distinctive architecture and spectacular views of the New Mexico sky, the venue transforms every performance into a visual and musical experience. Sunsets, stars, and the natural scenery become part of the evening’s atmosphere.
Each summer, the festival brings together leading international singers, conductors, directors, and designers to create a season of opera at the highest level. Its artistic identity is shaped by bold interpretations, exceptional young talent, and a dedication to both tradition and innovation.
Beyond performances, Santa Fe Opera is also renowned for its prestigious apprentice programs, which support emerging artists and contribute to the future of opera. Many internationally acclaimed performers began their careers through the festival’s development programs.
Visionary, inspiring, and uniquely connected to its surroundings, the Santa Fe Opera Festival offers an unforgettable celebration of opera where world-class artistry meets the breathtaking spirit of the American Southwest.
