Israeli Opera and Philharmonic Announce 2026-27 Seasons

The Israeli Opera and the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra have unveiled their programming for the upcoming 2026-27 season. The Israeli Opera will present seven major productions, including the world premiere of a new Israeli opera, while the Israel Philharmonic will celebrate its 90th anniversary with a series of special concerts and events.

The opera season opens with Mozart's "The Magic Flute," followed by Britten's "Peter Grimes," Verdi's "Un Ballo in Maschera," Gounod's "Faust," Rossini's "The Barber of Seville," and Bizet's "Carmen."

The centerpiece of the opera season will be the world premiere of "Mufkaret" (The Abandoned Woman) by composer Yonatan Cnaan, with a libretto by Ido Riklin, who will also direct. The opera, based on a true story from Tiberias in 1938 about a young singer caught between Jewish and Arab communities during violent unrest, will be performed in Hebrew, Arabic, and English. It is scheduled to premiere on May 31, 2027, conducted by Rotem Nir.

The Israeli Opera also announced three new artistic appointments: Shirit Lee Weiss as Artistic Director, Maestro Dan Ettinger continuing as Music Director for another four years, and Martin Engstroem as Senior International Artistic Advisor. These three, along with CEO Tali Barash-Gottlieb, will form the repertoire committee for future seasons. Additionally, Shani Frieden was appointed Chair of the Young Friends Association.

The Israel Philharmonic, under the music direction of Lahav Shani, will mark its 90th anniversary. The orchestra's first concert was held on December 26, 1936, in Tel Aviv. A special festival in January will feature guest artists including Zubin Mehta, Martha Argerich, and Maxim Vengerov. Throughout the season, the orchestra will host renowned conductors and soloists such as Yefim Bronfman, Kirill Petrenko, and András Schiff.

Lahav Shani will open the Philharmonic season with Sibelius's Violin Concerto, Mahler's Fourth Symphony, and a new commission by Josef Bardanashvili. Other highlights include Strauss's "Ein Heldenleben," Bloch's "Schelomo" with Mischa Maisky, Mahler's Fifth Symphony with Gil Shaham and Yefim Bronfman, and performances with Alisa Weilerstein and Clara-Jumi Kang. The season will also include various concert series catering to different audiences, including "Philharmonic in Jeans" and family concerts.