Los Angeles Opera will reveal its plans for the 2026–2027 season on Tuesday. This will be the first season with new Music Director Domingo Hindoyan, taking over from James Conlon, who has held the position for many years.
Eduardo Hindoyan, currently the chief conductor of the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic, will continue in that role while also joining L.A. Opera in July. He first performed with the company nearly two years ago with “Roméo et Juliette.” For his first full season beginning October 17th, Hindoyan will lead two of the company’s five mainstage productions: Bizet’s “Carmen” and Verdi’s “Nabucco.”
The season will conclude with Leonard Bernstein’s “Candide,” directed by resident conductor Lina González-Granados, and Puccini’s “Turandot,” led by guest conductor Diego Matheuz. As he prepares to step down and be named conductor laureate, Carl St.Clair will finish the season with a lively performance of Mozart’s “The Marriage of Figaro.”
Entertainment & Arts
Following James Conlon, the Venezuelan conductor will be the third person to lead L.A. Opera as its music director.
Gustavo Dudamel is finishing his 17-year role as conductor of the Los Angeles Philharmonic as Rafael Payare Hindoyan begins his new position. The two musicians have known each other since childhood, and Hindoyan credits Dudamel with offering valuable creative guidance. He’s also learned from Dudamel about the challenges of leading an L.A.-based orchestra while living abroad – Hindoyan and his wife, opera singer Sonya Yoncheva, currently live primarily in Switzerland.
According to Hindoyan, Los Angeles responds to creativity and innovation. He encourages artists to be bold and push limits, believing the city will embrace it. He also emphasized that during times of change and uncertainty, the arts are crucial for helping Los Angeles envision a positive future.
According to Hindoyan, opera consistently explores both hopeful visions of the future and the harsh realities of human conflict.
I’ve always felt that opera does more than just show us the problems in the world. It can actually give us a glimpse of what a truly good society could be – a hopeful vision of how we could all live together. It’s incredibly powerful to me.
Entertainment & Arts
2025 was a strong year for classical music, with notable achievements from figures like Gustavo Dudamel, Esa-Pekka Salonen, Claire Chase, and Peter Sellars.
Hindoyan explained that the upcoming season was designed to both revitalize classic operas and celebrate the diverse cultures of Los Angeles, with performances chosen from American, Italian, and French traditions.
The conductor explained they want to bring a fresh perspective to well-known pieces, and believes starting with ‘Carmen’ is a perfect way to do that.
He described the title as both playful and risky, praising the music while also highlighting its potential for something truly special.
Regarding Nabucco, Hindoyan explained he chose a significant and demanding Verdi opera to push both the chorus and orchestra – two key parts of the company he’s eager to develop quickly.
Column: What is the state of opera in L.A.? OperaFest LA tells only half the story
I’ve noticed all the buzz about opera happening in L.A. with these big conferences like the World Opera Forum and Opera America, but honestly, it feels like everyone’s overlooking some truly amazing opera being created right here in the city, outside of those events. It’s a shame, because there’s so much more to discover!
Thaddeus Strassberger, a celebrated stage director, will be directing and designing both productions led by conductor Domingo Hindoyan. According to a recent announcement, Strassberger previously directed this show in 2017, and the new version will maintain the lavish style of that production, which famously recreated the hanging gardens of Babylon within Milan’s theaters. The release also stated that this new production of “Carmen” will be visually stunning, evoking the rich atmosphere of Spanish Gothic architecture.
Traditionally, many international productions of “Carmen” have focused more on the character of Carmen herself than on Spain, the setting of the opera. However, conductor Rafael Payare aims to change that, bringing Spain and its culture to the forefront of this new production.
The conductor explained that the performance will take audiences on a journey through time and place, allowing them to experience the true spirit and taste of Spain.
Hindoyan explained that while he has big plans for the orchestra, he’s starting small with just two performances this season. He anticipates expanding the number of productions in future years.
He explained that when a conductor and an orchestra connect well, creativity naturally follows.
Hindoyan stated he doesn’t plan to specifically seek collaborations with his Grammy-nominated wife, but as the music director of a major opera house, his goal is to feature the most talented singers available – and he considers his wife, Sonya, to be among the best.
Commentary: How exuberant, ambitious operas in L.A. score big despite small casts and modest budgets
Los Angeles is currently experiencing a widespread, unofficial festival of chamber opera. These performances are happening all over the city and are focusing on important social and political topics.
L.A. Opera’s next season will feature both traditional operas and its ongoing Off Grand series, which presents more unique performances. This includes a fun, unusual show called “Hercules vs Vampires” – a mix of film and opera – coming to the United Theater on Broadway as part of the company’s annual Halloween event. Other Off Grand performances will be held at the Wallis in Beverly Hills and Zipper Hall at the Colburn School.
L.A. Opera Connects, the company’s program for reaching out to the community, will present several performances, including a community opera called “The Three Women of Jerusalem” at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels.
You can now purchase season tickets for all five of our mainstage shows, with prices starting at $164. If you prefer to attend individual shows, tickets will go on sale in June.
Read More
- Heartopia Book Writing Guide: How to write and publish books
- UFL soft launch first impression: The competition eFootball and FC Mobile needed
- Robots That React: Teaching Machines to Hear and Act
- Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB) February 2026 Hilda’s “Guardian Battalion” Starlight Pass Details
- UFL – Football Game 2026 makes its debut on the small screen, soft launches on Android in select regions
- Katie Price’s husband Lee Andrews explains why he filters his pictures after images of what he really looks like baffled fans – as his ex continues to mock his matching proposals
- Arknights: Endfield Weapons Tier List
- Davina McCall showcases her gorgeous figure in a green leather jumpsuit as she puts on a love-up display with husband Michael Douglas at star-studded London Chamber Orchestra bash
- The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim Lead Designer Doesn’t Think a Morrowind Remaster Would Hold Up Today
- eFootball 2026 Epic Italian League Guardians (Thuram, Pirlo, Ferri) pack review
2026-02-03 19:31