Classical and Opera: Premieres, Podiums and Budgets — 2026-10-12
La Scala unveiled its 2026-27 season in New York, marking Myung-Whun Chung’s debut as Music Director with a focus on Verdi and John Adams. Meanwhile, the 2026 Gramophone Awards celebrated Isabelle Faust as Artist of the Year, while the San Francisco Opera’s financial crisis continues to ripple through the industry following a recent strike resolution.
Classical and Opera: Premieres, Podiums and Budgets — 2026-10-12
Top developments
La Scala Presents 2026-27 Season in New York
Teatro alla Scala hosted the international presentation of its 2026-2027 season at the Italian Consulate in New York on October 6. The season, featuring 13 operas and seven ballet programs, opens on December 7 with Verdi’s Otello, conducted by new Music Director Myung-Whun Chung. Superintendent Fortunato Ortombina highlighted the season’s blend of tradition and innovation, including John Adams’ Nixon in China, emphasizing accessibility and young talent.
Gramophone Awards Honor Isabelle Faust and Jean Rondeau
At the 2026 Gramophone Classical Music Awards held in London, violinist Isabelle Faust was named Artist of the Year. Harpsichordist Jean Rondeau won Recording of the Year for his 10-CD set of Louis Couperin’s complete works. The San Francisco Symphony’s recording of Kaija Saariaho’s Adriana Mater, conducted by Esa-Pekka Salonen, took the Opera Recording award, underscoring continued recognition for contemporary opera recordings.
NEUE STIMMEN Competition Announces 2026 Winners
The prestigious NEUE STIMMEN International Singing Competition revealed its 2026 winners earlier this week. This competition is a critical launchpad for young opera singers, often leading to engagements at major European houses like the Hamburgische Staatsoper and Bayerische Staatsoper. The results signal emerging talent trends in the operatic voice market.
Vienna State Opera Opens Season with Zemlinsky and Bartók
The Wiener Staatsoper launched its new season on October 10 with a double bill of Alexander Zemlinsky’s Eine florentinische Tragödie and Béla Bartók’s Herzog Blaubarts Burg. The production featured soprano Asmik Grigorian, drawing significant attention from German-language media. A casting change occurred for the premiere, though the performance proceeded with high praise for the orchestral execution.
Local view
Italy: Italian press focused heavily on La Scala’s New York presentation, viewing it as a strategic move to reinforce the theater’s global brand during its "season of rebirth." Outlets like Il Dirigente noted the emphasis on the Toscanini legacy alongside modern works like Nixon in China.
Germany: Austrian and German critics reviewed the Vienna State Opera’s opening night, with Kurier describing the Zemlinsky/Bartók double bill as a "therapy session" of artistic depth, praising Grigorian’s performance. In Hamburg, Klassik begeistert reported on the October 8 premiere of Verdi’s Macbeth at the Staatsoper.
Context & numbers
San Francisco Opera Financials: The recent contract dispute and brief strike at San Francisco Opera highlighted a structural deficit of approximately $15 million annually. Despite this, the company reported strong revenue trends, including a 13% increase in subscriptions and nearly $50 million raised in fundraising campaigns. The strike, involving 69 orchestra musicians, was resolved just before the September opening of Simon Boccanegra.
La Scala Season Scale: The 2026-27 season includes 13 operas and 7 ballet programs, with Otello serving as the December 7 inauguration. The presentation in New York underscored the international reach of Italian lyric theater.
On the radar
- ABC Classic Young Performers Awards: Grand finalists Dillon Chan (piano), Charlotte Miles (cello), and Beatrice Colombis (violin) will compete in the final on November 3 in Australia.
- International Opera Awards: Nominations are open for the ceremony scheduled for November 21 at MusikTheater an der Wien in Vienna, marking the first time the awards will be held there.
- Grammy Submissions: First-round voting for the 2027 Grammy Awards runs from October 12–22, with classical categories likely to see submissions from major labels following the Gramophone wins.
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