The Opéra National de Paris has officially announced its highly anticipated 2025/2026 season, promising a thrilling blend of classic masterpieces, innovative new productions, and long-awaited debuts. Opera and ballet lovers alike will be treated to a stellar lineup, featuring some of the most sought-after singers and dancers from around the world. This season, the Parisian institution continues to strike a balance between tradition and modernity, with an emphasis on visionary directors, a diverse range of repertoire, and exciting artist debuts.

Major Operatic Highlights

One of the most exciting additions to the Opéra de Paris repertoire this season is Satyagraha, the mesmerizing opera by Philip Glass. Choreographers Bobbi Jene Smith and Or Schraiber, who previously wowed audiences with Pit in 2023, will take on the challenge of bringing this hypnotic score to life on stage.

The season also marks the return of Aida to the Opéra Bastille, with a groundbreaking new production by Iranian visual artist and filmmaker Shirin Neshat. Known for her striking and politically charged work, Neshat’s take on Verdi’s grand opera is one of the most anticipated productions of the season.

In a particularly intriguing move, celebrated actor and director Ralph Fiennes will make his operatic directorial debut with Eugène Onéguine. A devoted admirer of Pushkin’s novel, Fiennes’ interpretation of Tchaikovsky’s masterpiece is expected to bring a unique cinematic and dramatic depth to the production.

Meanwhile, the Opéra de Paris continues its ambitious staging of Wagner’s Ring Cycle, with Die Walküre set for November 2025 and Siegfried following in January 2026. Conducted by Pablo Heras-Casado and staged by Calixto Bieito, these performances are set to be among the season’s most monumental events.

A Season Brimming with Stars

Beyond the productions themselves, the star-studded cast list promises electrifying performances. British tenor Freddie De Tommaso, one of the brightest young stars in today’s opera world, will make his much-anticipated Paris debut in Tosca. Known for his powerful and expressive voice, De Tommaso has been making waves across Europe’s most prestigious opera houses.

Another highlight is the return of the charismatic Charles Castronovo, who will take on the role of Don José in Carmen. A regular favorite in Paris, Castronovo’s nuanced and dramatic interpretations have won him a dedicated following among opera aficionados.

Adding to the excitement, Spanish soprano Saioa Hernández will make her highly anticipated return to the Opéra de Paris in Un Bal Masqué. Following her triumphs in Milan and Madrid, her Verdi heroines have become the stuff of legend, and Parisian audiences will finally get the chance to experience her extraordinary voice live once again.

Meanwhile, British baritone Huw Montague Rendall, who delivered a career-defining performance in Pelléas et Mélisande at the Palais Garnier and was later praised for his Roméo et Juliette, will return in one of the most eagerly awaited operas of the season. His artistic growth and deep connection with the Parisian audience make his return one of the highlights of 2025/2026.

Full List of New Opera Productions

• Aida by Giuseppe Verdi (Opéra Bastille, September 24 – November 4, 2025)
• Die Walküre by Richard Wagner (Opéra Bastille, November 11–30, 2025)
• Siegfried by Richard Wagner (Opéra Bastille, January 17–31, 2026)
• Eugène Onéguine by Piotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky (Palais Garnier, January 26 – February 27, 2026)
• La finta giardiniera by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (MC93, March 24 – April 1, 2026)
• Satyagraha by Philip Glass (Palais Garnier, April 10 – May 3, 2026)
• Ercole amante by Antonia Bembo (Opéra Bastille, May 28 – June 14, 2026)

Celebrated Ballet Season

The ballet season promises an equally dazzling array of productions, with several first-time collaborations at the Opéra de Paris. Requiem for a Rose, choreographed by Annabelle López Ochoa, will open the ballet season with its poetic exploration of love’s complexities.

The Empreintes program, set to be a major highlight of the season, will feature new works by Morgann Runacre-Temple, Jessica Wright, and Marcos Morau. The Vibrations program will see the entrance of Mats Ek’s Solo for Two into the repertoire, alongside the world premiere of Dreams This Way by Micaela Taylor.

Full List of Ballet Productions

• Giselle by Jean Coralli and Jules Perrot (Palais Garnier, September 28 – October 31, 2025)
• Thème et Variations by George Balanchine (Opéra Bastille, October 6 – November 10, 2025)
• Notre-Dame de Paris by Roland Petit (Opéra Bastille, December 6–31, 2025)
• Roméo et Juliette by Rudolf Noureev (Opéra Bastille, April 2 – May 12, 2026)
• La Dame aux camélias by John Neumeier (Palais Garnier, May 5–23, 2026)
• The Seasons’ Canon by Crystal Pite (Palais Garnier, June 27 – July 14, 2026)

An Unmissable Season

With such an extraordinary lineup, the Opéra de Paris is set to deliver one of its most ambitious seasons to date. Whether it’s the return of opera legends, the introduction of fresh talents, or the innovative directorial choices, the 2025/2026 season promises to be an unforgettable experience. Fans of opera and ballet alike should start marking their calendars and securing their tickets early—this is a season not to be missed!