Opera Australia announces 2027 season with new leadership

Opera Australia has announced its 2027 season, signaling a period of stability and renewed ambition following years of financial and management volatility. The upcoming season features a diverse lineup of productions for Sydney and Melbourne, including a new production of Wagner’s Tannhäuser, a steampunk version of The Magic Flute, two major Australian operas, and the return of Gilbert and Sullivan to the Sydney Opera House.

The announcement marks the first season under the leadership of newly appointed director of opera Amy Lane, who joins CEO Alex Budd and music director Andrea Battistoni in a revamped management team.

A major highlight of the season will be the staging of Tannhäuser at Melbourne’s State Theatre. Due to the massive scale of the orchestra and off-stage brass ensemble required for the work, the production is too large for the pit at the Sydney Opera House’s Joan Sutherland theatre.