The Canadian Opera Company has unveiled an ambitious and emotionally rich 2026/2027 season that celebrates both the grandeur of classic opera and the power of contemporary Canadian storytelling. The upcoming season features internationally acclaimed artists, daring new productions, and the world premiere of Empire of Wild, a landmark Canadian opera inspired by Métis folklore and modern identity.

The season also marks an important milestone for the company as it celebrates 20 years at the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts, a venue widely regarded as one of the finest opera houses in the world. From tragic romance and comic deception to ghostly psychological drama and deeply personal new works, the lineup promises a captivating year for seasoned opera lovers and newcomers alike.

COC’s 2026/2027 Season At-A-Glance

La Traviata by Giuseppe Verdi
September 18, 26, 27, October 2, 4, 7, 9, 13, 15, and 17, 2026
Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts

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COC co-production with Houston Grand Opera and Lyric Opera of Chicago

The season begins with Giuseppe Verdi’s beloved La Traviata. This lavish production brings audiences into the glamorous yet heartbreaking world of Violetta Valéry, a celebrated courtesan whose search for love is shadowed by illness and social expectation.

Soprano Kathryn Lewek makes her COC debut in the leading role alongside Canadian soprano Lucia Cesaroni. Conducted by acclaimed maestro Paolo Carignani, the production balances visual opulence with intimate emotional storytelling.

Così fan tutte by Wolfgang A. Mozart
October 3, 6, 8, 10, 14, 16, and 18, 2026
Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts

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A Canadian Opera Company revival

Mozart’s Così fan tutte offerx audiences a playful exploration of love, disguise, and human behaviour. Directed by celebrated Canadian filmmaker Atom Egoyan, the opera reimagines the story within a private school science laboratory, adding a modern theatrical twist to Mozart’s sparkling comedy. Conducted by Johannes Debus, the production combines humour, elegant music, and sharp emotional insight.

The Turn of the Screw by Benjamin Britten
January 23, 30, February 5, 7, 9, 11, and 17, 2027
Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts

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A Canadian Opera Company production, originated at Garsington Opera

From January 23 to February 17, 2027, Benjamin Britten’s The Turn of the Screw brings chilling intensity to the Four Seasons Centre stage.

Based on Henry James’ classic novella, the opera follows a young governess who becomes convinced that supernatural forces are influencing the children in her care. Canadian sopranos Jane Archibald and Adrianne Pieczonka headline the production, while director Louisa Muller creates a haunting atmosphere filled with tension and uncertainty.

Ariadne auf Naxos by Richard Strauss
February 4, 6, 10, 12, 14, 16, and 20, 2027
Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts

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Production rental from Teatro Comunale di Bologna, Teatro la Fenice, and Teatro Verdi Trieste

Richard Strauss’ Ariadne auf Naxos runs from February 4 to February 20, 2027, blending comedy, mythology, and backstage drama into one of opera’s most inventive works.

The story unfolds when a wealthy patron demands that a tragic opera and a comedic performance be staged simultaneously, creating theatrical chaos and surprising emotional depth. Internationally celebrated soprano Rachel Willis-Sørensen stars in the production, with director Paul Curran embracing the opera’s playful duality.

Empire of Wild by Ian Cusson and Cherie Dimaline
May 1, 9, 11, 13, 15, 19, and 21, 2027
Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts

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One of the season’s most anticipated productions, created by composer Ian Cusson and librettist Cherie Dimaline, the opera transforms Dimaline’s bestselling novel into a gripping work of contemporary music theatre.

Set in Northern Ontario and inspired by Métis legend, the story follows Joan as she searches for her missing husband and uncovers unsettling truths tied to the mythical Rogarou. Directed by Yvette Nolan and starring soprano Elisabeth St-Gelais, the production stands as a major moment for Indigenous storytelling on the Canadian operatic stage.

The Elixir of Love by Gaetano Donizetti
May 8, 14, 16, 18, 20, 26, and 29, 2027
Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts

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A Canadian Opera Company revival

Gaetano Donizetti’s The Elixir of Love returns to the Canadian Opera Company with a lively production full of romance, humour, and unforgettable melodies. Tenor Duke Kim stars as the lovestruck Nemorino opposite Ensemble Studio soprano Emily Rocha as Adina. When Nemorino purchases a supposed love potion from the charming Dr. Dulcamara, played by Luca Pisaroni, a whirlwind of comic confusion follows. Conductor Lorenzo Passerini leads Donizetti’s sparkling bel canto score, including the beloved aria “Una furtiva lagrima.”

Come Closer by Ryan Trew and Rachel Krehm
June 18, 19, and 20, 2027
Canadian Opera Company Theatre

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Presented by Opera 5, the Canadian Opera Company’s Company-in-Residence, Come Closer is an intimate new Canadian opera exploring grief, memory, and healing. Inspired by librettist Rachel Krehm’s personal loss of her sister Elizabeth, the work follows Big Sister through dreamlike reflections shaped by poetry and remembrance. Composer Ryan Trew crafts an emotionally rich score that supports this deeply human meditation on love, loss, and the enduring emotional connection between sisters.

Special Events

Centre Stage: Ensemble Studio Competition & Gala
Thursday, October 22, 2026
Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts

On October 22, 2026, the Canadian Opera Company hosts Centre Stage: Ensemble Studio Competition & Gala, an evening celebrating Canada’s rising opera talent. Emerging singers from across the country compete alongside the acclaimed COC Orchestra under the direction of Johannes Debus for cash prizes and the opportunity to join the prestigious COC Ensemble Studio. Following the competition, gala guests are invited onto the mainstage for an elegant dinner experience supporting the next generation of Canadian opera artists.
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Bravissimo!
Thursday, December 31, 2026
Roy Thomson Hall

Ring in the new year with Bravissimo! New Year’s at the Opera on December 31, 2026, at Roy Thomson Hall. Presented by the Canadian Opera Company, this glamorous concert event features the acclaimed COC Orchestra conducted by Johannes Debus alongside four internationally celebrated opera stars. Audiences can enjoy unforgettable selections from some of opera’s greatest masterpieces in an elegant New Year’s Eve celebration filled with music, spectacle, and world-class performances.

As the Canadian Opera Company celebrates two decades at the Four Seasons Centre, the 2026/2027 season reflects both a respect for operatic tradition and a fearless commitment to new voices, contemporary stories, and the future of the art form in Canada.