San Diego Opera Announces Production Lineup for 2026–2027 Season

San Diego Opera Announces Production Lineup for 2026–2027 Season:
Rigoletto, Susannah and The Marriage of Figaro follow the previously announced Southern California premiere of Fellow Travelers
 
Subscriptions on sale Friday, March 27; single tickets go on sale Tuesday, September 8

SAN DIEGO (MARCH 23, 2026) – Building on the momentum of its acclaimed current season, San Diego Opera proudly announces its 2026–2027 season. Featuring a compelling mix of dramatic intensity, timeless comedy, and lyrical brilliance, the upcoming season continues San Diego Opera’s tradition of presenting world-class productions that celebrate the power of the human voice and demonstrate the remarkable storytelling capacity of opera. The season showcases four distinctive works spanning centuries and styles, offering material that ranges from a timely love story to shocking tragedy to effervescent comedy.

The San Diego Opera 2026–27 season begins with the previously announced Southern California premiere of Fellow Travelers, composed by Gregory Spears with a libretto by Greg Pierce, playing July 10–12 at the Balboa Theatre. From October 23–25, audiences will experience Giuseppe Verdi’s intense tragedy Rigoletto. To celebrate American composer Carlisle Floyd’s centenary in 2026, the company will feature his powerful opera Susannah from February 12–14. The season concludes April 2–4 with Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s comic masterpiece, The Marriage of Figaro.

“Coming up with a season is like solving a really fun puzzle,” says David Bennett, Joann Clark General Director and CEO, “and once you find the winning combination, it just feels right.  This year what excites me is the range of programming, from the Southern California premiere of Fellow Travelers this July, to Carlisle Floyd’s modern classic Susannah, to tragic and comic masterpieces from Verdi and Mozart. I’m thrilled about the returning and brand-new artists we’ll be sharing with San Diego, as we continue to partner with the world-class San Diego Symphony Orchestra.  There couldn’t be a better year to subscribe to San Diego Opera.”

San Diego Opera’s steadfast dedication to bringing opera’s most talented established and emerging artists will once again be reflected in the 2026–2027 season. Leading Verdi’s Rigoletto will be baritone Michael Chioldi, deemed by Broadway World as “quite simply perfect” in the title role. Chioldi returns to SDO for the first time since 2000 when he appeared as Masetto in the company’s production of Don Giovanni. Making their debuts with the company are soprano Madison Leonard, who will lend her “silvery, ethereal-sounding” (Opera Magazine) voice to the role of Gilda, and Argentinian-American tenor Jose Simerilla Romero who performs the role of the caddish Duke. Bass Peixin Chen – last seen in San Diego Opera’s drive-in Barber of Seville in 2021 – returns to play Sparafucile while San Diego’s own Guadalupe Paz follows her appearance in the title role of 2026’s Carmen to perform the role of Maddalena.

In the title role of Carlisle Floyd’s Susannah are sopranos Hailey Clark – whose “bright, silky tone” (Parterre Box) was recently heard in her 2025 company debut as Nedda in Pagliacci; and recent Metropolitan Opera Laffont Competition Grand Finals winner Teresa Perotta, making her San Diego Opera debut. World-renowned bass-baritone Greer Grimsley will perform the role of Olin Blitch, and tenors Joseph Dennis and Christian Sanders will make their company debuts in the roles of Sam Polk and Little Bat. Baritone Richard Paul Fink and mezzo-soprano Luretta Bybee return to San Diego to play the roles of Elder and Mrs. McLean, having last performed together in the company’s 1985 production of The Merry Widow. The production will be led by the renowned soprano, stage director, and Artistic Director of Opera Theatre of St Louis, Patricia Racette.

Nicholas Newton will bring his “seductive bass-baritone” (San Francisco Classical Voice) to the title role in Mozart’s The Marriage of Figaro. Cadie J. Bryan makes her company debut as the bride Susanna, a signature role for the “lustrous” soprano, known for bringing “impressive physicality” (Cultural Voice North Carolina) to her performances. The “vocally glorious” (San Diego Story) soprano Sarah Tucker, who has been seen in San Diego as Micaëla (Carmen), Fiordiligi (Così fan tutte), and Mimì (La bohème) performs as Contessa, and baritone Dean Murphy returns to play the Conte after his acclaimed turn in  the title role of the company’s 2026 production of The Barber of Seville. Currently in San Diego to perform the title role in SDO’s Carmen, Lisa Marie Rogali, a mezzo-soprano cited for her “vivacious coloratura and ready-for-anything character actor instincts” (Star Tribune) will take on the role of amorous teen Cherubino. Metropolitan Opera stalwart mezzo Elizabeth Bishop is Marcellina.

In Fellow Travelers, tenor Andy Acosta will reprise the role of Timothy Laughlin, a role he has performed in three different productions. Baritone Joseph Lattanzi – praised by The New York Times as “splendid…luxuriant and robust” for his performance in Fellow Travelers’ world premiere – stars as Hawkins Fuller. Soprano Vanessa Becerra will bring to life the role of Miss Lightfoot and soprano Amber R. Monroe will perform as Mary Johnson.

In the pit for each production will be the renowned San Diego Symphony Orchestra, continuing a longstanding collaborative partnership between the two organizations. San Diego Opera’s Principal Conductor Yves Abel will lead the productions of Rigoletto and Susannah and Resident Conductor and Chorus Master Bruce Stasyna will conduct Fellow Travelers. The conductor and director for The Marriage of Figaro and director for Rigoletto will be announced at a later date.

Audiences can anticipate three remarkable production designs during the 2026–2027 season. Robert Dahlstrom’s set for Rigoletto was originally showcased in San Diego Opera’s 2019 staging. Susannah features scenic design by Andrew Boyce, costumes by Kaye Voyce, and projections from Greg Emetaz. For The Marriage of Figaro, which San Diego Opera last performed in 2018, Leslie Travers provides both scenic and costume designs.

All operas will be performed in their original languages, with English and Spanish supertitles projected above the stage.
 
Subscriptions are available to either renew or purchase beginning Friday, March 27.  To purchase subscriptions or learn more about San Diego Opera’s 2026–2027 season, please visit sdopera.org.

2026–27 SAN DIEGO OPERA PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE 
 
Subscription prices for three-opera packages range from $159 to $939
Subscription Prices for four-opera packages range from $204–$1,188
Single ticket prices range from $51 - $363 (single ticket prices subject to change).

Fellow Travelers – Gregory Spears
July 10, 7:30 p.m.
July 11, 7:30 p.m.
July 12, 2:00 p.m.
Balboa Theatre

Stage Director – Kevin Newbury
Conductor – Bruce Stasyna
Timothy Laughlin – Andy Acosta
Hawkins Fuller – Joseph Lattanzi
Mary Johnson – Amber R. Monroe
Miss Lightfoot – Vanessa Becerra
 
Based on Thomas Mallon’s novel, which recently became an acclaimed Showtime miniseries.Timothy Laughlin is an idealistic college grad when he arrives in Washington, D.C. to join the fight against communism.  But a chance encounter with a handsome State Department official leads to a secret love affair and heart-wrenching dilemmas. The year is 1953, and Senator McCarthy isn’t just looking for communists anymore. Hearing the score Opera Magazine calls “seductively beautiful,” you’ll be on the edge of your seat for the work the Chicago Tribune calls “one of the most accomplished new American operas.”
Sung in English with projected supertitles in English and Spanish.

Rigoletto – Giuseppe Verdi
October 23, 7:30 p.m.
October 24, 7:30 p.m.
October 25, 2:00 p.m.
San Diego Civic Theatre

Conductor – Yves Abel
Rigoletto – Michael Chioldi
Gilda – Madison Leonard
Duca – Jose Simerilla Romero
Sparafucile – Peixin Chen
Maddalena – Guadalupe Paz
 
Making jokes is what Rigoletto does for a living, serving as court jester to the predatory Duke of Mantua.  But the joke may be on him when one of his jests enrages Count Monterone, the father of the Duke's latest victim, unleashing a curse with dangerous consequences for Rigoletto and his beautiful daughter Gilda.  Packed with spectacular arias like “La donna è mobile,” “Caro nome,” and the stunning quartet “Bella figlia dell’amore,” Verdi’s sublime tale of betrayal, sacrifice, and revenge will hold you spellbound from start to finish.
Sung in Italian with projected translations in English and Spanish.

Susannah – Carlisle Floyd
February 12, 7:30 p.m.
February 13, 7:30 p.m.
February 14, 2:00 p.m.
San Diego Civic Theatre

Stage Director – Patricia Racette 
Conductor – Yves Abel
Susannah Polk – Hailey Clark and Teresa Perotta
Olin Blitch – Greer Grimsley
Sam Polk – Joseph Dennis
Little Bat – Christian Sanders
Mrs. McLean – Luretta Bybee
Elder McLean – Richard Paul Fink

Eighteen-year-old Susannah Polk lives with her brother Sam in the woods outside a Tennessee mountain town. When local churchmen spot her bathing in an isolated creek, she becomes the target of gossip, accusations, and worse. Carlisle Floyd transplants the biblical “Susannah and the Elders” to the Appalachian backwoods in this modern classic: a riveting tale of sex, corruption, and hypocrisy with a folk-inspired score and the beloved aria “Ain’t it a pretty night?”. Floyd’s centenary is the perfect time to experience the opera Gramophone calls “an important work within modern American opera” and Opera Today dubs the “operatic equivalent of Arthur Miller’s The Crucible.”
Sung in English with projected supertitles in English and Spanish.

The Marriage of Figaro – Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
April 2, 7:30 p.m.
April 3, 7:30 p.m.
April 4, 2:00 p.m.
San Diego Civic Theatre

Figaro – Nicholas Newton
Susanna – Cadie J. Bryan
Contessa – Sarah Tucker
Conte – Dean Murphy
Cherubino – Lisa Marie Rogali

Remember The Barber of Seville? Figaro is back — and he’s getting married! But there are complications. His bride-to-be doesn’t want their room too close to their lecherous boss, Count Almaviva, who wants to revive the ancient practice of collecting “noble privileges” on a wedding night. But Figaro has some tricks up his sleeve to teach the Count a lesson. Visit the Almaviva estate for one madcap day filled with disguises, desire, deception – even forgiveness – as Mozart’s masterpiece unfolds with musical delights that have enchanted audiences for centuries.
Sung in Italian with projected translations in English and Spanish.

 

ABOUT SAN DIEGO OPERA
Founded in 1965, San Diego Opera has delivered exceptional performances and inspiring educational programs to a wide audience in San Diego for 60 seasons, with a strong focus on community partnerships and the transformative and expressive power of the human voice.  With a commitment to innovative storytelling, lifelong learning and engagement, and an awareness of great music’s power to bring audiences together, San Diego Opera provides a lasting cultural service to its community. To learn more, please visit www.sdopera.org or follow @sandiegoopera on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube.

 

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