2026 Opera Festival Casts unveiled

The 103rd Opera Festival at the Arena di Verona has announced its stars. Over 80 conductors and singers, including long-awaited debuts and highly requested returns, in 6 opera productions and the same number of event evenings. 50 events of opera, ballet and great live music. Over three months, one single stage will welcome the greatest artists on the international scene, some of whom are returning to the Arena to debut in new roles. These megastars include Anna Netrebko, Lisette Oropesa, Rosa Feola, Anna Pirozzi, Maria José Siri, Mariangela Sicilia, Aleksandra Kurzak, Eleonora Buratto, Maria Agresta, Marta Torbidoni, Clémentine Margaine, Yusif Eyvazov, René Barbera, Gregory Kunde, Brian Jagde, Roberto Alagna, Amartuvshin Enkhbat, Luca Salsi, Ludovic Tézier, Michele Pertusi, Christian Van Horn and Alexander Vinogradov, to name but a few. 2026 will also see a number of debuts of well-established artists and some incredible young and emerging talents, including Annalisa Stroppa, Carolina López Moreno, Adam Smith, Mihai Damian, Martina Russomanno, Mariano Buccino, SeokJong Baek, Alexander Roslavets, Ankhbayar Enkhbold, Francesca Pia Vitale, Enkeleda Kamani and Carlo Vistoli. The alternating casts will make every night an unmissable premiere under the stars of the largest and oldest Opera Festival in the world.

THE CONDUCTORS. The podium of the new Traviata that will open the Festival will feature Maestro Michele Spotti, who has thrilled the Arena since his debut in 2024, Music Director of the Marseille Opera and Philharmonic Orchestra, appointed Principal Guest Conductor at the Deutsche Oper in Berlin and ‘Chevalier de l 'Ordre des Arts et des Lettres’ by the French Ministry of Culture, some of the highest honours conferred on those who stand out for their artistic creation and dissemination. Maestro Spotti will also return to the podium for the first six performances of Nabucco. In addition, some of the world’s foremost conductors have confirmed their attendance, including Daniel Oren (for Aida – Poda staging), Francesco Ivan Ciampa (final three performances of La Traviata), Andrea Battistoni, Music Director of the Teatro Regio di Torino, the Tokyo Philharmonic and Opera Australia, returning to Verona to conduct Turandot, and Francesco Ommassini (in Aida – Zeffirelli staging). What is more, some world-renowned Italian maestros, loved by audiences and critics alike, especially for the Italian opera repertoire, are scheduled to make their bow at the Arena, such as Sebastiano Rolli (final four performances of Nabucco) and Francesco Lanzillotta (La Bohème), not to forget the acclaimed American conductor James Conlon, director of the Los Angeles Opera, former director of the Paris Opera, Cologne and the Rai National Orchestra, now directing, for the first time, all of the Arena artistic teams in Orff’s Carmina Burana.

LA TRAVIATA. The new production of Verdi’s La Traviata will open the Arena summer, with back-to-back performances on 12 and 13 June, and no fewer than eleven shows until the final evening of the 2026 Festival, on 12 September. The most loved and performed show in the world, and the most iconic love story in opera, will star the young Martina Russomanno (12 and 20 June, 5 and 9 July), making her Arena debut after garnering several prizes at various international competitions. She will then be followed by two sopranos who have already been acclaimed in the Arena for their interpretations of Violetta Valéry – Gilda Fiume (13, 27 June) and Rosa Feola (from 6 August). Some real darlings of the Arena will be playing the beloved Alfredo: Yusif Eyvazov (for the first time in this role in Arena), Galeano Salas, Francesco Meli, René Barbera and the tenor Adam Smith, making his Verona debut. And the role of Germont's father will then be taken by some world-famous baritones: Amartuvshin Enkhbat, Youngjun Park, Ludovic Tézier, Luca Salsi and the young Mihai Damian, freshly crowned winner of Operalia 2025, making his debut in the Arena. Conducted by Michele Spotti and Francesco Ivan Ciampa.

‘Crystal’ AIDA. The Festival will continue with five more operas, including two different productions of Aida. The Queen of the Arena will return in the ‘crystal’ staging designed by Stefano Poda, with six performances scheduled between 19 June and 24 July 2026. Welcome to ancient Egypt, where contemporary art and high fashion coexist in a luminous collective ritual. Under the baton of the expert Daniel Oren, the lead role will be played by Maria José Siri, who will be replaced for just one performance by Alessandra Di Giorgio, a debutant in Verona. Two powerful portrayals of Radames are guaranteed from Yusif Eyvazov and Gregory Kunde, with Amneris brought to life by Agnieszka Rehlis and Clémentine Margaine, Amonasro by Amartuvshin Enkhbat and Youngjun Park and Ramfis by the basses Alexander Vinogradov and Simon Lim.

NABUCCO. Stefano Poda’s staging of Verdi's opera will return for ten performances, between 26 June and 9 September, conducted by Michele Spotti and Sebastiano Rolli (taking the baton for the first time in the Arena). Verdi’s choral humanity portrayed as a war between opposites destined to reunite in a universal whole. Lighting effects ranging from the costumes to the immense stands of the Arena will provide the backdrop to the powerful voices of Amartuvshin Enkhbat (26 June and 4 July), Ludovic Tézier (12 July), Youngjun Park (18 and 23 July and 8 August) and Luca Salsi (1 August and final performances). The challenging role of Abigaille, torn between love and ambition, will be played Maria José Siri, alternating with Olga Maslova (23 July and 28 August) and Marta Torbidoni (8 and 20 August). Annalisa Stroppa will make her Arena debut in a full stage role as Fenena, alongside Anna Werle, while tenors Galeano Salas, Francesco Meli and Paolo Lardizzone will alternate as Ismaele. A unique line-up of great basses will alternate as Zaccaria: Roberto Tagliavini in the premiere, followed by Simon Lim, Alexander Vinogradov, Christian Van Horn and Michele Pertusi.

LA BOHÈME.  And Verdi will not be the only headliner at the 2026 Festival: 130 years after its world premiere, Puccini's La Bohème will be staged in the production designed by Alfonso Signorini with sets by Juan Guillermo Nova, for four nights from 3 to 25 July. “The perfect opera” that perhaps tells the story of friendship, love and the quintessence of youth better than any other, will feature the acclaimed Eleonora Buratto (3 and 11 July) and Carolina López Moreno (17 and 25 July) as Mimì, opposite Yusif Eyvazov’s Rodolfo. The friends Marcello, Colline and Schaunard will be played by Mihai Damian, Alexander Roslavets and Jan Antem. Both the sopranos in the role of the sparkling Musetta will be making their Arena bow: Francesca Pia Vitale and Enkeleda Kamani. Maestro Francesco Lanzillotta is making his debut on the podium of the Fondazione Arena Orchestra.

AIDA (Zeffirelli). The second production of the most performed opera at the Arena Festival since 1913, Verdi’s Aida, will return for seven performances in the staging created by Franco Zeffirelli from 30 July to 10 September – a golden Egypt studded with multi-coloured stones and draped in precious fabrics. Under the baton of Francesco Ommassini, for three evenings the title role will be played by Aleksandra Kurzak, accompanied by newcomer SeokJong Baek (30 July) and her partner both on stage and in life, Roberto Alagna (9 and 23 August). Maria José Siri will return as Aida for two more performances, as will Yusif Eyvazov and Paolo Lardizzone as Radames, while Clémentine Margaine will be the only Amneris. On August 30, a stellar cast will feature Anna Netrebko as Aida and Ludovic Tézier as Amonasro (played on all other dates by Youngjun Park). Alexander Vinogradov and Simon Lim will be replaced as High Priest Ramfis by basses Christian Van Horn and Gianluca Buratto.

TURANDOT. Giacomo Puccini's masterpiece, completed by Franco Alfano, will celebrate 100 years since its first performance, after his death, in 1926. Turandot will return for six evening performances of Zeffirelli’s magical production (a box-office record holder at the Arena) between 7 August and 11 September, featuring costumes designed by Oscar winner Emi Wada. The ice princess will be played by Anna Pirozzi and Lise Lindstrom (21 and 27 August), while hearts will be melted with the portrayals of Calaf by Brian Jagde and Yusif Eyvazov. Mariangela Sicilia (7 August), Lisette Oropesa (making her debut in the role – 14, 21 and 27 August) and Maria Agresta (3 and 11 September) will star as Liù, while Roberto Tagliavini and Michele Pertusi will alternate as Timur. Andrea Battistoni, a maestro from Verona who has enjoyed a fabulous career on three continents, will return to the podium.

As always, for all the shows on the bill, just as much care is given to filling the supporting roles. In summer 2026, they will be played by some of the world’s most in-demand artists, alongside talented youngsters making their debut in the Arena, such as the bass Mariano Buccino and the baritone Ankhbayar Enkhbold. The main performers include Carlo Bosi, Nicolò Ceriani, Gezim Myshketa, Gabriele Sagona, Francesca Maionchi, Matteo Macchioni, Riccardo Rados, Elisabetta Zizzo, Elena Borin, Clarissa Leonardi, Saverio Fiore, Abramo Rosalen and Gianfranco Montresor.

EVENT EVENINGS. The long-awaited Roberto Bolle and friends is back for in a single unmissable date co-produced with ARTEDANZAsrl on July 21. One of the most popular musical programmes in recent seasons, the great symphonic/choral combination deployed in Orff's Carmina Burana has been confirmed on 13 August in the heart of the Arena with an exceptional new cast, featuring Erin Morley, Mihai Damian and the countertenor Carlo Vistoli, making his Arena debut, conducted by Maestro James Conlon, also appearing for the first time in the Amphitheatre. Lastly, there will be two exciting innovative event evenings: the new immersive Paganini Paradise concert is making its world premiere on August 18 and joining the Four Seasons in Viva Vivaldi, with the Fondazione Arena Orchestra and spectacular three-dimensional projections created by Balich Wonder Studio, on August 19.

At the end of August, the spotlight will shine, for two evenings, on a second stage: the Roman Theatre of Verona will welcome the acclaimed production of the ballet Zorba the Greek on 25 and 26 August.

Tickets are already on sale on www.arena.it, on our social channels, in the Arena Ticket Offices and through the Vivaticket circuit, our new ticket service provider.

NEW FOR 2026. The Festival is becoming increasingly accessible, with the creation of a Family Area for the first time. Families with children aged 0 to 14 may purchase tickets for seats in this dedicated section, on certain evenings, at a symbolic price of just €2.50 for minors and €68 (instead of €125 or €135) for accompanying adults (up to a maximum of 6 tickets). Adjacent to the stage, the Family Area will have special features and services, including easy entry and exit, spaces for strollers and nearby bathrooms. For Under30s: thanks to Unicredit, €30 tickets will be available for all young people aged under 30. The aim of this initiative is to encourage young people to come and enjoy evening Opera performances and Gala events. The U30 tariff is one of the initiatives of the ‘U Are Invited’ project carried out by Fondazione Arena in collaboration with Unicredit, whose aim is to bring young people closer to the world of opera and support their personal and professional growth. Finally, for audiences of all ages, the two performances of Paganini Paradise and Viva Vivaldi, some of the most innovative shows in the rich programme of the 103rd Arena di Verona Opera Festival, if purchased together will entitle the buyer to a 30% promotion.