Met Opera's 2026-27 season has fewest productions in 60 years

Financially strapped opera company scales back with 17 productions, down from previous seasons

Published on Feb. 25, 2026

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The Metropolitan Opera in New York City announced its 2026-27 season will have only 17 productions, the fewest in at least 60 years. The company is facing financial challenges but has seen encouraging box office numbers in recent seasons. The upcoming season will feature revivals of popular operas like "Tosca," "La Bohème," and "Aida" to help reduce costs, along with a few new productions.

Why it matters

The Met Opera's decision to scale back its 2026-27 season reflects the ongoing financial pressures facing major arts organizations, even as ticket sales have rebounded somewhat from pandemic lows. The company's focus on revivals of popular works over new productions signals a more cautious approach as it navigates economic uncertainty.

The details

The Met will present just 5 new productions in the 2026-27 season, down from previous years. Three revivals - Puccini's "Tosca" and "La Bohème," and Verdi's "Aida" - will account for 71 of the 187 total performances. General Manager Peter Gelb said this "experiment" of extended runs for popular works is aimed at being more economical. The company has also implemented temporary salary cuts and layoffs as part of budget tightening.

  • The 2026-27 season will open on September 22, 2026 with a new production of Verdi's "Macbeth".
  • Composer Missy Mazzoli's "Lincoln in the Bardo" will have its world premiere on October 19, 2026.
  • A gala marking the Met's 60th season at Lincoln Center is scheduled for May 25, 2027.

The players

Peter Gelb

The general manager of the Metropolitan Opera, who says he plans to retire when his current contract expires in 2030.

Lise Davidsen

The soprano starring in the new production of Verdi's "Macbeth" that opens the 2026-27 season.

Christine Goerke

One of the stars in the world premiere of Missy Mazzoli's "Lincoln in the Bardo" in October 2026.

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What they’re saying

“Basically, it's back to pre-pandemic levels.”

— Peter Gelb, General Manager, Metropolitan Opera (wral.com)

“One of my goals at the Met is to stimulate new audiences with new works. This one was one of the most successful we've presented so far.”

— Peter Gelb, General Manager, Metropolitan Opera (wral.com)

“We're in a kind of golden age of opera singing. The only difference between today and 30 or 40 years ago is that 30 or 40 years ago opera was much more in the cultural mainstream.”

— Peter Gelb, General Manager, Metropolitan Opera (wral.com)

What’s next

The Met's 2026-27 season will open on September 22, 2026 with a new production of Verdi's "Macbeth" starring soprano Lise Davidsen.

The takeaway

The Metropolitan Opera's decision to scale back its 2026-27 season to the fewest productions in 60 years reflects the ongoing financial challenges facing major arts organizations, even as ticket sales have rebounded somewhat from pandemic lows. The company's focus on revivals of popular works over new productions signals a more cautious approach as it navigates economic uncertainty.