The 2026-27 season of the Royal Opera House in Covent Garden, London, is marked by both artistic success and institutional controversy. Oliver Mears, the director of opera, has outlined the company’s programme for the upcoming season, which includes major productions such as Wagner’s ‘Parsifal’ and Verdi’s ‘Un Ballo in Maschera’, alongside new stagings of Janáček’s ‘Kát’a Kabanová’. Despite the artistic ambition, there will be no main-stage operatic world premiere next season, a decision driven by financial constraints and the high cost and risk associated with new commissions.
The interview with Mears also addresses the political and cultural tensions at the Royal Opera House. Mears reflects on a widely reported incident in which a performer unfurled a Palestinian flag during a curtain call, leading to his intervention and subsequent criticism from staff. He defends his response while acknowledging protocol changes introduced afterwards. The discussion extends to the engagement of soprano Anna Netrebko, whose political associations with Russia have sparked debate, as well as the company’s broader attempts to maintain neutrality in sensitive geopolitical matters.
Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons
Written by Nicolo Ciampini
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