At the Teatro di San Carlo, on December 2nd, it will be Luisa Miller who will open the season.

The Teatro di San Carlo will open its upcoming season on December 2nd with Luisa Miller, a renowned opera composed by Giuseppe Verdi in 1849 specifically for the theater. This marks the beginning of a new chapter for one of Italy’s most historic cultural institutions as it approaches its 290th anniversary since its founding on November 4th, 1737. The season aims to highlight the rich musical legacy associated with the theater while reflecting on its significant role in both Italian and international music history. The program for the 2026–2027 season was unveiled in the presence of several notable figures, including Gaetano Manfredi, mayor of Naples and president of the Foundation, Onofrio Cutaia, the regional culture minister of Campania, and Fulvio Adamo Macciardi, who serves as both the superintendent and artistic director of the Lyric Theater. The season includes eleven operas, six ballet productions, and two special performances outside the subscription series: The Nutcracker in December and Tosca at the Arena Flegrea in July 2027. Additionally, there will be fourteen symphonic concerts and seventeen chamber music performances throughout the year. Five of the operatic titles will feature brand-new productions. Among these is Aida, directed by Serena Sinigaglia and conducted by Renato Palumbo, which is scheduled for February and will later tour Japan in July 2027. Another production is Nina or She Is Love by Paisiello, directed by Mariano Bauduin and conducted by Fabio Biondi, set for April. Also planned is a rare staging of Eight Months in Two Hours or The Exiles in Siberia by Donizetti, directed by Fabio Mastrangelo. Furthermore, composer Alessandro Solbiati has been commissioned to create an original completion of the unfinished opera The Fall of the House of Usher by Claude Debussy. In the realm of symphonic and chamber music, particular attention is given to the bicentenary of Ludwig van Beethoven's death in 2027. This tribute will begin with a performance of his Ninth Symphony, conducted by Daniel Oren. The piano festival, organized in collaboration with the Alessandro Scarlatti Association, will feature four events dedicated to internationally recognized pianists such as young Alexander Gadjiev and Michele Campanella, who will celebrate his 80th birthday at the San Carlo. Other participants include Louis Lortie and Alexander Lonquich. Fulvio Adamo Macciardi emphasized that this season represents the start of a major artistic and cultural project. He explained that the celebration of the 290th anniversary of the Teatro di San Carlo is being marked as the beginning of a large-scale initiative rooted in Neapolitan identity, history, and traditions. It also highlights the theater’s engagement with the city and its growing international presence through tours and prestigious collaborations. Macciardi noted that increasing the number of performances, offering varied showtimes, and keeping subscription and ticket prices unchanged would help attract a larger audience. He also mentioned plans to continue the “Scuola InCanto” project aimed at introducing children and teenagers to opera. Among the intriguing aspects of the season is the inclusion of Plácido Domingo, who will perform in a special lyrical gala alongside Sonya Yoncheva, exactly 55 years after his debut at the San Carlo. Another noteworthy event is the first-time revival in modern times of Eight Months in Two Hours by Donizetti, precisely 200 years after its initial premiere in 1827. These elements underscore the theater’s commitment to preserving its historical significance while embracing contemporary artistic expressions. As the Teatro di San Carlo prepares for its upcoming season, it continues to solidify its position as a central figure in the global cultural landscape. With a blend of traditional and innovative programming, the theater seeks to engage audiences of all ages and backgrounds, ensuring its continued relevance and influence in the world of performing arts. The season promises to be a vibrant celebration of music, history, and cultural exchange, setting the stage for future developments and collaborations.