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

Financially strapped company scales back to 17 productions, with 5 new stagings

Published on Feb. 27, 2026

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Despite encouraging box office figures for the current season, the financially strapped Metropolitan Opera has scaled back its 2026-27 schedule to just 17 productions, its lowest total in a non-truncated season since the company moved to Lincoln Center in 1966. The Met will present only 5 new stagings, with revivals of 3 popular operas accounting for 38% of the 187 individual opera performances.

Why it matters

The Met's decision to significantly reduce its 2026-27 season reflects the ongoing financial challenges facing the company, even as ticket sales have rebounded to near pre-pandemic levels. The move signals the company's efforts to cut costs and focus resources on productions with proven audience appeal.

The details

The Met announced it will present 17 productions in 2026-27, down from previous seasons. This includes just 5 new stagings, with revivals of Puccini's 'Tosca' and 'La Bohème,' and Verdi's 'Aida' accounting for 71 of the 187 performances (38%). Met general manager Peter Gelb said the company will present these popular works in extended runs to be more economical.

  • The Met's 2026-27 season will open on September 22, 2026.
  • 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.

Lise Davidsen

The soprano who will star in the new production of Verdi's 'Macbeth' that opens the 2026-27 season.

Missy Mazzoli

The composer whose opera 'Lincoln in the Bardo' will have its world premiere in the 2026-27 season.

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What they’re saying

“It makes more sense for us, and this is an experiment — to present these works in extended runs. And by double-casting them, it also is more economic in terms of how many different shows are playing in one week.”

— Peter Gelb, Met general manager (wjtv.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, Met general manager (wjtv.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 Met's decision to significantly scale back its 2026-27 season reflects the ongoing financial challenges facing the company, even as ticket sales have rebounded. By focusing on revivals of popular works and limiting new productions, the Met is attempting to cut costs and stabilize its finances, while still aiming to attract new and younger audiences with select premieres like Missy Mazzoli's 'Lincoln in the Bardo'.