2026 Opera Season at Teatro Regio di Parma

Parma, a city steeped in music and art, is ready to welcome visitors on an emotional journey through the 2026 Opera Season at Teatro Regio di Parma. This is a unique opportunity to experience the beauty of Italian opera in the heart of a city where culture resonates in every corner.

Three Masterpieces for an Unforgettable Season

From January 23 to March 28, 2026, the stage of the Teatro Regio comes alive with three timeless operas:
Gluck’s Orfeo ed Euridice,
Bellini’s Norma, and
Puccini’s Manon Lescaut.

The season opens on January 23, 2026, with Orfeo ed Euridice by Christoph Willibald Gluck, presented in its 1762 Vienna version. The opera will also be performed on January 25, 29, and 31. This new production is directed by renowned Iranian-American artist Shirin Neshat, making her debut at Teatro Regio. The musical direction is entrusted to Fabio Biondi, leading the Arturo Toscanini Philharmonic Orchestra. The cast features Carlo Vistoli as Orfeo, Francesca Pia Vitale as Euridice, and Nadja Mchantaf as Amore. A collaboration between Teatro Regio and I Teatri di Reggio Emilia, the production also involves the Teatro Regio Chorus, prepared by Martino Faggiani.

Next comes Norma by Vincenzo Bellini, scheduled for February 15, 17, 20, and 22, 2026. This revival is a co-production between Teatro Regio di Parma, Teatri di Piacenza, and Teatro Comunale di Modena. Directed by Nicola Berloffa, the opera will be conducted by Renato Palumbo with the Italian Philharmonic Orchestra. The chorus is again prepared by Martino Faggiani. In the title role, Vasilisa Berzhanskaya will take the stage, joined by Giuliana Gianfaldoni as Adalgisa, Dmitry Korchak as Pollione, and Carlo Lepore as Oroveso.

The season closes with Manon Lescaut by Giacomo Puccini, to be performed on March 20, 22, 26, and 28, 2026. This brand-new production is directed and designed (set, costumes, lighting) by Massimo Gasparon and is co-produced with the Puccini Festival, Teatro Petruzzelli of Bari, National Opera of Bucharest, and Croatian National Theatre in Rijeka. Francesco Ivan Ciampa will conduct the Parma Philharmonic Orchestra. The title role will be performed for the first time by Anastasia Bartoli, with Luciano Ganci as Des Grieux, Alessandro Luongo as Lescaut, Andrea Concetti as Geronte, and Davide Tuscano as Edmondo.

Finally, on May 16, 2026, the Teatro will celebrate its 197th anniversary with the Regio197 concert, featuring rising talents from the prestigious Accademia Verdiana, one of Parma’s most celebrated opera training institutions.

Parma, City of Music

Declared a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy, Parma is also a treasure trove of musical heritage. Alongside the internationally acclaimed Festival Verdi, the city is home to cultural gems such as the Casa della Musica, the Arrigo Boito Conservatory, and a deep-rooted operatic tradition that is an integral part of Emilia's cultural identity.

Parma is the ideal destination for a weekend or vacation devoted to beauty and harmony: from the aromas of its traditional cuisine to the soaring arias echoing from historic theaters, every moment is a sensory symphony.

An Experience Not to Miss

The 2026 Opera Season is more than a series of performances—it’s an invitation to discover the authentic Parma, to be enchanted by the voices of exceptional artists, and to immerse yourself in the scenery of a city that lives and breathes art.

Between immortal melodies and warm Emilian hospitality, Teatro Regio becomes the beating heart of an experience that engages all the senses.

Reserve your seat and let yourself be swept away by the magic of opera in Parma—where every note tells a story, and every story becomes a lasting memory.

Discover our music travel package here