Opera Now

Opera Now captures the drama, colour and vitality of one of the most powerful of all the performing arts, showcasing the creative spirit of opera both on stage and behind the scenes. In addition, our 32-year magazine archive is now available to subscribers to our ‘digital’ and ‘print & digital’ packages, allowing you to explore more than 270 issues of opera history.

Opera Now

Times of change

TESS JACKSON Conductor

Chelsea Opera Group • Chelsea Opera celebrates its diamond anniversary, inspiring the next generation of opera singers and audiences

Washington National Opera to leave Kennedy Center

Deborah Warner named artistic director of Park Avenue Armory

News in Brief

Jenny Mollica steps down at English National Opera

New podcast from Opera Now

IN Opera Now SUMMER 2026

James Gaffigan named Houston Grand Opera’s next music director

Streetwise Opera’s backstage Pioneers

Breaking the silence • Katie Mitchell’s decision to step away from opera following decades of sexism has ignited a wider reckoning with misogyny and the abuse of power in the opera industry. We talk to various industry figures about their experiences and hope for change

Small but mighty • Introducing the new UK Opera Association

This year in opera history • One hundred years ago… 1926 Turandot is premiered

Opera done differently • Spotlighting operas and companies taking risks

Opera’s online champions • OperaAnna

Have your say • Readers tell us about an opera production that has stayed with them

Voyaging beyond the opera universe • Barrie Kosky on directing Wagner outside Germany, his decade at the Komische Oper and that Covent Garden Carmen

Opera for all • The Beijing Music Festival is forging a future for opera in China that is bold, international and unafraid to challenge its audience

Letter from Verona • Lighting up Verona with its vast productions each summer, Arena di Verona’s unique power is even more apparent backstage.

Star of the east • From the Ring Cycle to Buddhist myth, Opera Siam’s journey has recast Bangkok as South-East Asia’s home for opera, powered by one man’s unrelenting belief that the art form belongs everywhere

Houston Grand Opera Studio • HGO provides comprehensive, sustainable guidance for young artists hoping to follow in the footsteps of admired alumni

Presence and power • From discovering opera at university, bass-baritone Ossian Huskinson has emerged as an important talent in the UK and abroad

Postcard from Vienna • There were mixed fortunes as the City of Music celebrated the 200th anniversary of Johann Strauss II.

LIVE REVIEWS

Dickinson, reheard • Kevin Puts revisits Emily Dickinson’s poetry in a bold new song cycle for Joyce DiDonato, Emily – No Prisoner Be, 140 years after her death

New releases

Spotlight Feb-May 2026 • Production Highlights • World Premieres • Exceptional Casts

The Opera Now Quiz • Do you know your Verdi from your Wagner? Test your wits in this month’s set of fiendish questions for the dedicated opera buff (with a clue or two in the pictures)

Joanna Parker • In a series highlighting the work of opera designers and makers, Holly Baker and Georgia Keeley meet the British designer in her London studio

The opera lover’s essential guide

SANTIAGO BALLERINI – TENOR • The music therapist and tenor shares his thoughts on the relationship between his role as an opera singer and professional therapist