Experience Opera in New Orleans
Historic Roots, Daring Performances, and a City as the Stage
Opera in New Orleans has always been about more than the stage. Long before opera houses defined the art form in America, New Orleans helped introduce it to the country, blending European tradition with the city’s own cultural rhythm. Today, that legacy continues with the launch of the New Orleans Opera Association's Opera Festival, a bold new celebration that turns the city itself into the setting. From historic landmarks to unexpected performance spaces, this first-of-its-kind festival invites audiences to experience opera as New Orleans does best: immersive, transportive, and unmistakably local.
New Orleans Opera Festival
March 24 – April 1, 2026
New Orleans Opera Festival
Whether you want the full Opera Fest experience or you're looking to take in a single performance, browse upcoming shows and get your tickets today.
New Orleans Opera Festival
- Mahalia Jackson Theater
- Mar 24, 2026 - Apr 1, 2026
Dialogues des Carmélites
- Old Ursuline Convent Museum & St. Mary's Church
- Mar 24, 2026 - Mar 31, 2026
Der Rosenkavalier
- Mahalia Jackson Theater
- Mar 27, 2026 - Mar 29, 2026
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America's First City of Opera
Opera was introduced to the United States in New Orleans in the early 19th century, making the city a foundational chapter in American opera history.
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