Opera Columbus is turning 45, and the company is marking the milestone with a season built around big American stories, bold reimaginings, and a few surprises.
The 2026–27 lineup, titled American Icons, also lines up with the country’s 250th anniversary. Leading the season is General Director and CEO Julia Noulin-Mérat, who says the goal is not to look backward, but to take a fresh look at familiar works and the idea of American identity itself.
The season opens November 6–8, 2026, at the Palace Theatre with Pirates! The Penzance Musical, a jazz- and blues-infused take on Gilbert and Sullivan’s classic. This new adaptation shifts the action to New Orleans, mixing Caribbean rhythms and French Quarter flair with the show’s famously fast lyrics and comic chaos. The production follows a sold-out Broadway run and will make its regional premiere in Columbus.
In December, the company takes things out of the traditional theater setting with a citywide Messiah Sing-Along series. Instead of concert halls, you can expect breweries, cafés, and gathering spaces around Columbus to host the holiday favorite. It is Handel with a side of community, and maybe a pint.
Early Next Year
On February 26 and 28, 2027, Opera Columbus heads to the Southern Theatre for Puccini’s The Girl of the Golden West (La fanciulla del West). Set during the California Gold Rush, the opera tells the story of Minnie, a saloon owner who finds herself torn between love and loyalty when a mysterious outlaw rides into town. The sweeping score and frontier setting make it one of Puccini’s most cinematic works.
From April 16–18, 2027, the company returns to the Palace Theatre with The Shining, an opera by Paul Moravec and Mark Campbell based on Stephen King’s novel. Presented during the 50th anniversary year of the book’s publication, the production brings the psychological tension of the Overlook Hotel to the operatic stage. Expect a haunting score and a story that leans into the family drama at the center of the horror classic.
The season wraps up May 16, 2027, with the Cooper-Bing Competition at the Southern Theatre. Often called the Olympics of Opera, the internationally recognized vocal competition awards $10,000 to its top emerging artist and has helped launch professional careers since 1983.
How To Snag Your Spot
Season subscriptions go on sale April 20, 2026, with single tickets available beginning June 1. Production tickets range from $17 to $135, and Cooper-Bing tickets are $22.
For longtime opera fans and anyone curious about giving it a try, this anniversary season looks designed to make a strong case for spending a night at the opera.
For more info, head over to operacolumbus.org.
