Our 2026 season is grounded in the rich and magical stories that have shaped our imaginations for generations. In a time of confusion and uncertainty, we’ve turned to these stories to look for the threads that connect us: tales where characters’ impossible challenges are resolved through strength of character and a willingness to hold our differences as qualities to be celebrated with compassion.

For our first production we return to La Cenerentola, Rossini’s Cinderella. This beautiful concert production by Laura Hansford opened our 2025 season to great praise, before being cut short by Cyclone Alfred. It anchors Brisbane Bel Canto, the festival exploring the art of song in its many colours.

Our first performance in the Glasshouse Theatre is Rusalka, Dvořák’s retelling of The Little Mermaid. This extraordinary production conjures a wonderland of poetic imagery. Brought to life by some of Australia’s finest singers, including Eleanor Lyons, Rosario La Spina, Ashlyn Tymms and Warwick Fyfe, this is one not to miss.

We close our year at QPAC, with Stephen Sondheim’s Into the Woods, which dives deep into the world of fairy tales, turning them inside out and upside down. Here, Little Red Riding Hood fears little, the Handsome Prince turns out to be rather ugly, and the Evil Witch has a heart of gold. Perhaps Sondheim echoed Bettelheim’s idea, “When a world goes to pieces, when inhumanity reigns supreme, man cannot go on with business as usual.” Into the Woods remind us of how important our humanity is, and with Amy Lehpamer and Nina Korbe, we won’t forget too quickly. We’re also thrilled to be taking this production to Toowoomba’s Empire Theatre.

The Festival of Outback Opera returns to Longreach and Winton. Our new regional shows, All Together Now! and Bravo! tour the state, while The Adventures of Figaro continues its joyful journey to classrooms everywhere.

None of this would be possible without our partners Arts Queensland, Creative Australia and Brisbane City Council who enable new opportunities for artists, creative workers and audiences. The generosity of donors and sponsors, including the Tim Fairfax Family Foundation, the Frazer Family Foundation, the Mather Foundation, Hall Brown Family Foundation, Philip Bacon AO, and Haymans Electrical inspires our ambition and exploration of the artform.

Thank you to our key performance partners, the Queensland Symphony Orchestra, Queensland Performing Arts Centre, Queensland Theatre, Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University and The University of Queensland. And to our audiences everywhere: your presence and passion are the beating heart of Opera Queensland.