Edmonton Opera’s 2025/26 Season

Some legacies are passed down, and others must be claimed. 

A Season of Legacy

Opera is more than music — it’s a legacy. It’s the voices that came before, the stories we carry forward, and the artists shaping what’s next. This season, Edmonton Opera explores those legacies.

We begin with Bravi!, a bold celebration of opera’s greatest moments. It’s a tribute to the music that has defined generations of singers — the legacy of the greats, kept alive on stage.

Then, the Rumbold Vocal Prize looks towards opera’s future. Canada’s brightest young voices refine their artistry, train with industry leaders, and compete for top honours - proving that legacies aren’t just inherited, they’re earned.

In Indians on Vacation, we uncover a different kind of legacy — a journey through memory, family history, and identity. As a couple retraces their past through lost postcards, they confront the stories that shape them and the ones they must reclaim.

And finally, we step into legend. Siegfried, the third chapter of Wagner’s Ring Cycle, is a tale of destiny, courage, and the legacy of heroes. Born from greatness but raised in isolation, Siegfried inherits a world shaped by gods and warriors - one he must navigate without knowing the full weight of what came before him.

This season isn’t just about opera. It’s about what lasts, what is passed down, and what we fight to keep alive.

But the season doesn’t stop there! We begin under the open sky this August at Opera al Fresco bringing beautiful music to a breathtaking outdoor setting. In December, we return to EPIC Market for a second year of Messiah at the Market. Then, in February, we gather for a night of music and elegance at the Dianne Kipnes Valentine’s Gala.

2025/26 Season Subscriptions on Sale Now!

We’ve listened to your feedback — ticket prices are now 20% lower across the board!
Subscribers can save up to an additional 20% off.

Renew or purchase your 2025/26 season subscription by May 31, 2025,
and be entered to win your entire season for free!

BRAVI!

OPERA’S GREATEST HITS

Winspear Centre | October 9 & 11, 2025

In Partnership with the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra

The 2025/26 season opens with a theatrical celebration of opera’s greatest hits, bringing the most powerful and timeless music ever composed to life. As the orchestra tunes and the lights dim, anticipation builds for an evening of soaring arias, electrifying overtures, and moving ensembles that explore love, betrayal, triumph, and despair. Iconic works from Verdi, Puccini, Mozart, and Bizet fill the concert hall, where breathtaking soloists and the Edmonton Opera Chorus make every note unforgettable. 

RUMBOLD VOCAL PRIZE

Horowitz Theatre | November 21, 2025

Experience the future of Canadian opera at the Rumbold Vocal Prize Grand Finale, where the brightest emerging talents take center stage. After a week of mentorship, masterclasses, and rigorous preparation, finalists deliver stunning performances of opera’s most beloved arias, art songs, and duets, competing for Canada’s largest vocal prize. Established by Edmonton Opera and supported by Grace and Arnold Rumbold, this annual competition provides young artists with financial support, mentorship, and career-launching opportunities. 

INDIANS ON VACATION

Secrets are the ultimate souvenir

Northern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium | February 5, 6, & 7, 2026

A co-production with Against the Grain Theatre, and supported by the Yukon Arts Centre,
University of Toronto Opera, and the Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity.

Be among the first to experience the world premiere of Indians on Vacation — a bold, poignant, and comedic new opera that brings Thomas King’s acclaimed novel to the stage for the very first time. Composed by Ian Cusson with a libretto by Royce Vavrek, this is an Edmonton Opera created and co-commissioned opera.  We welcome baritone Grant Youngblood as Bird, and mezzo-soprano Marion Newman of Kwagiulth and Stó:lō First Nations, as Mimi, a middle-aged Indigenous couple on a European journey sparked by a trove of old postcards. As they trace the footsteps of Mimi’s late Uncle Leroy — who vanished with a family heirloom — Bird confronts his own past in this heartfelt exploration of memory, identity, and belonging. 

SIEGFRIED

FATE IS FORGED IN FIRE

Jonathan Dove Arrangement

Maclab Theatre at Citadel Theatre | May 25, 27, 29, & 31, 2026

The third chapter of Wagner’s monumental Ring Cycle, Siegfried follows the coming-of-age journey of a fearless, yet naïve hero destined to shape the fate of gods and mortals. Raised by the scheming Mime, Siegfried forges the mighty sword Nothung, slays the dragon Fafner, and claims the legendary ring. His journey leads him to awaken the Valkyrie Brünnhilde, forging a fateful bond that sets the stage for Götterdämmerung. With Jonathan Dove’s sweeping orchestration, epic themes, and profound character depth, this powerful new production brings Wagner’s masterpiece to life.  

OPERA AL FRESCO

University of Alberta Botanic Garden | August 27, 2025

Opera al Fresco returns on August 27, blending music, nature, and summer skies in a breathtaking outdoor concert at the University of Alberta Botanic Garden. Set across two stunning gardens, this open-air event invites you to sip, stroll, and soak in the magic of opera in nature. 

MESSIAH AT THE MARKET

IT’S GOING TO BE EPIC

EPIC Market | December 4, 5, & 7, 2025

After a sold-out debut, Messiah at the Market returns to EPIC Market for an unforgettable holiday celebration. Sing along with the Edmonton Opera Chorus, enjoy festive food and drinks, and experience the joy of Handel’s Messiah in a warm, welcoming atmosphere. rit.

DIANNE KIPNES VALENTINE’S GALA

Fairmont Hotel Macdonald | February 12, 2026

An evening of elegance, music, and generosity — the Dianne Kipnes Valentine’s Gala returns to the Fairmont Hotel Macdonald, honoring a beloved champion of opera and philanthropy. Join us for a night of exquisite dining, captivating performances, and celebration in support of the arts. 

The Best Way to Experience Opera
2025/26 Season Subscriptions on Sale Now!

We’ve listened to your feedback — ticket prices are now 20% lower across the board!
Subscribers can save up to an additional 20% off.

Renew or purchase your 2025/26 season subscription by May 31, 2025,
and be entered to win your entire season for free!