OPÉRA DE MONTRÉAL OPENS ITS 2026-2027 SEASON WITH PUCCINI'S MAJESTIC TURANDOT
From September 26 to October 4, 2026 At Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier, Place des Arts
A CO-PRODUCTION WITH WASHINGTON NATIONAL OPERA, THE DALLAS OPERA AND OPÉRA DE MONTRÉAL, FEATURING A NEW ENDING BY CHRISTOPHER TIN AND SUSAN SOON HE STANTON
Montréal, QC - September 9, 2026 - Opéra de Montréal will open its 2026-2027 season with Turandot by Giacomo Puccini, one of the greatest masterpieces in the operatic repertoire, presented from September 26 to October 4 at Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier. This spectacular co-production by Washington National Opera, The Dallas Opera and Opéra de Montréal brings together the Orchestre Métropolitain, a large chorus, dancers and an international cast of more than 150 artists, technicians and production team members in a retrofuturist staging by Francesca Zambello.
Audiences will hear Puccini's famous aria Nessun dorma, as well as a new ending created by American composer Christopher Tin and librettist Susan Soon He Stanton.
"Turandot powerfully embodies what Opéra de Montréal has stood for over the past twenty years: the ambition of the grand repertoire, the audacity of creation and the desire to make opera resonate with our times. This monumental production, enriched by a new ending, opens our season with an artistic statement that brings people together and looks to the future."
- Michel Beaulac, Artistic Director, Opéra de Montréal
Turandot, Giacomo Puccini's final opera, remained unfinished at the time of his death in 1924. Puccini left sketches for the ending, which over the years gave rise to several completions. For this production, audiences will discover the conclusion commissioned by Washington National Opera from Christopher Tin and Susan Soon He Stanton, which premiered at the Kennedy Center in May 2024.
Turandot at a glance...
In a kingdom where fear is wielded as a banner, Princess Turandot imposes a ruthless challenge: every suitor must solve three riddles or face death. Captivated by this elusive figure, Prince Calaf accepts the trial at the risk of his own life.
As the crowd calls for blood and power tightens its grip, an impossible love struggles to emerge. Between violence, desire and redemption, the fate of Calaf and Turandot will be sealed at the heart of a city where no one sleeps.
A "Nessun Dorma" Benefit Evening Honouring Michel Beaulac
Michel Beaulac has played a profound and lasting role in shaping the artistic identity of the Opéra de Montréal and in elevating its profile across Québec, Canada, and internationally. His tenure has been defined by a bold commitment to contemporary creation, to the artists of Québec and Canada, and to the continued renewal and vitality of the operatic repertoire.
On Saturday, September 26, the opening performance of Turandot will begin at the exceptional time of 6 p.m. to welcome the "Nessun Dorma" benefit evening dedicated to Michel Beaulac's artistic legacy. For more than twenty years, the Artistic Director - Zhao-Ionescu Family has helped shape Opéra de Montréal's creative evolution and its influence on the Montreal, Quebec and Canadian stages.
The "Nessun Dorma" evening will bring together donors and partners. Funds raised will help carry forward this legacy of excellence and support Opéra de Montréal's mission.
Performance Dates
Saturday, September 26, 2026, at 6 p.m. - opening night and the "Nessun Dorma" benefit evening; no PreOpera talk
Tuesday, September 29, 2026, at 7:30 p.m. - audio-described performance for patrons who are blind or have low vision
Thursday, October 1, 2026, at 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, October 4, 2026, at 2 p.m.
To purchase tickets, visit operademontreal.com/en/shows/turandot
Discover everything you need to know about Turandot in a video hosted by Pierre Vachon:
Distribution
Turandot — Maida Hundeling
Calaf — Andrea Shin
Liù — Kirsten MacKinnon
Timur — Raymond Aceto
Le Chancelier — Nathan Keoughan
L’Intendant — Rocco Rupolo
Le Cuisinier en chef — Angelo Moretti
Altoum — Richard Margison
Le Mandarin — Colin Mackey
Équipe artistique
Direction musicale — Paolo Arrivabeni
Mise en scène — Francesca Zambello
Conception des décors — Wilson Chin
Conception des costumes — Linda Cho
Conception des éclairages — Amith Chandrashaker
Conception vidéo — S. Katy Tucker
Chorégraphie — Jessica Lang et Kanji Segawa
Chef de chœur — Claude Webster
Chœur — Chœur de l’Opéra de Montréal
Orchestre — Orchestre Métropolitain
Coproduction
Washington National Opera, The Dallas Opera et Opéra de Montréal
ABOUT CHRISTOPHER TIN
A two-time Grammy Award-winning American composer, Christopher Tin writes for the concert stage, theatre, film and video games. His piece Baba Yetu, the theme from Civilization IV, became the first piece of music written for a video game to win a Grammy Award. Washington National Opera commissioned him and librettist and screenwriter Susan Soon He Stanton to write a new ending for Turandot. Premiered at the Kennedy Center in May 2024, the conclusion draws on Puccini's surviving sketches and develops themes already present in the opera.
ABOUT SUSAN SOON HE STANTON
Susan Soon He Stanton is an acclaimed Hawaii-born playwright, screenwriter and librettist, recognized for the richness and nuance of her storytelling. She is particularly celebrated for her work as a writer and producer on HBO's acclaimed television series Succession, which earned her several Emmy Awards. Her plays frequently explore themes including identity, power and cultural dynamics. In collaboration with Christopher Tin, she makes a notable foray into opera as the librettist of the new ending to Turandot. She brings a distinctly contemporary perspective that renews the conclusion of this great classic with emotional depth and newfound clarity.
ABOUT FRANCESCA ZAMBELLO
Francesca Zambello has served as Artistic Director of Washington National Opera since 2013 and is Artistic and General Director Emerita of the Glimmerglass Festival. She has created new productions for more than 50 opera companies across Europe, Asia, Australia, Russia and the United States, and her theatre work has been presented on Broadway and throughout Europe. A Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters and a Knight of the Order of the Star of Italy, she has received the Russian Federation's Medal of the Arts, Olivier Awards and Evening Standard Awards, the French Critics' Grand Prix, as well as San Francisco Opera's Medallion Society Award recognizing her 30 years with the company, including two productions of the Ring cycle. Most recent appearance at Opéra de Montréal: Thérèse Raquin (2002).
ABOUT MICHEL BEAULAC
For more than twenty years, Michel Beaulac, Artistic Director - Zhao-Ionescu Family, served Opéra de Montréal with passion, dedication and generosity. Guided by a constant pursuit of excellence, he shaped the company's creative evolution and left a lasting mark on the cultural landscape of Montreal, Quebec and Canada.
ABOUT OPÉRA DE MONTRÉAL
Deeply rooted in Montreal, where North American and European cultures meet, Opéra de Montréal acts as a catalyst for the city's artistic creativity and celebrates Quebec and Canada's rich vocal heritage by bringing opera to life in all its richness. From the great works of the operatic repertoire to new works from here and abroad, through its professional development program for Canada's finest young singers and its strong commitment to community and education, Opéra de Montréal presents memorable operatic events where everyone is welcomed with warmth and care.
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Source: L'Opéra de Montréal
Pour plus d'informations:
Maryse Bouchard | annexe | maryse@annexe.media
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