The Los Angeles Opera has decided to forgo the anticipated world premiere for the second consecutive season due to financial constraints. The opera adaptation of Missy Mazzoli’s “Lincoln in the Bardo,” which was inspired by George Saunders’ novel from 2017, will instead debut at the Metropolitan Opera in New York City. Initially slated to premiere in Los Angeles in February 2026, the production was absent from the LA Opera’s recently unveiled 2025-26 season lineup.
LA Opera president Christopher Koelsch acknowledged the challenges posed by increasing costs, indicating that finding the means to realize all artistic aspirations is becoming increasingly difficult. He expressed optimism about the work’s future at the Met, noting the remarkable achievement of Mazzoli and Royce Vavrek in adapting such a complex narrative. The story centers around the poignant death of President Abraham Lincoln’s son, William Wallace Lincoln, exploring themes of life and rebirth.
Another world premiere, Mason Bates’ “The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay,” was initially scheduled for last October in Los Angeles but was ultimately removed from the program. It had a trial performance with a student cast at Indiana University’s Jacobs School of Music before its planned opening at the Met on September 21, 2025. Commissioned by the Met in 2018, “Lincoln” was originally expected to debut in LA, but it will now kick off its journey at the Met in October 2026.
In managing his company’s recovery after the COVID-19 pandemic, Koelsch revealed that he had not fully committed to “Lincoln” due to budgetary concerns. The Opera’s revenue for the 2023-2024 season reached $46.8 million, which is an improvement from the previous year’s $40.8 million yet still lower than the $47.1 million earned in 2021-2022. Koelsch remarked that the financial realities for the upcoming season were becoming clearer.
In response to the adjustment, Met general manager Peter Gelb has announced plans for an additional workshop for “Lincoln,” compensating for the missed LA performance dates. This will mark the Met’s 32nd world premiere.
As for upcoming productions, James Conlon will conduct three out of five main stage performances at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion during his final season as music director, culminating a 20-year tenure. The season will kick off on September 20 with Francesca Zambello’s interpretation of Bernstein’s “West Side Story,” followed by a revival of Lee Blakeley’s staging of Verdi’s “Falstaff” from April 18, 2026. Meanwhile, Barrie Kosky’s production of Mozart’s “Die Zauberflöte” will premiere on May 30, alongside revivals of Herbert Ross’ “La Bohème” and Philip Glass’ “Akhnaten.”
Koelsch referred to the upcoming season as a “victory lap” for Conlon, who has significantly influenced the musical direction of the organization. The five main-stage productions for the 2025 season align with those from 2024-25, a reduction from six in the preceding two seasons and from a peak of ten in the 2006-07 season.
Additionally, the LA Opera plans to host two world premieres in smaller venues. “Hildegard,” composed by Sarah Kirkland Snider and based on the writings of the renowned Benedictine abbess Hildegard of Bingen, will be showcased at The Wallis in Beverly Hills from November 5-9. Simultaneously, Carla Lucero’s “The Tower of Babel,” a new community opera directed by Conlon, is scheduled for performances at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels on May 8 and 9.
Looking ahead, Koelsch is hopeful about appointing Conlon’s successor before the commencement of the 2026-27 season.
