New Orleans Opera Prepares for First‑Ever Opera Festival &Adjusts Schedule to Stage a Grander Der Rosenkavalier

The New Orleans Opera has announced that its upcoming production of Der Rosenkavalier will move to the third week of November 2026, a decision made as the company undertakes the significant transition to its inaugural New Orleans Opera Festival, launching in just a few weeks on March 24.

The shift comes at a pivotal moment for the organization, which is expanding its artistic footprint and embracing a festival model for the first time in its history. The new format will bring together multiple productions, community events, and collaborations into a single concentrated season, a major operational and artistic undertaking. Planned for the inaugural festival are productions of Dialogues of the Carmelites, Showboat and Pilgrimage, along with a performance by Golda Schultz in Recital.

Guiding this evolution is the company’s new Artistic Director, Lila Palmer, an accomplished librettist whose work has been performed internationally and whose reputation for artistic rigor has earned her deep respect across the opera world. Palmer, who joined the company this season, has quickly set a tone of ambition and elevated standards. “This festival represents a bold new chapter for the New Orleans Opera,” Palmer said. “It’s an extraordinary opportunity, but it also requires immense coordination and preparation. Moving Der Rosenkavalier ensures that we can give this masterpiece the time, attention, and resources it deserves.” Palmer emphasized that the decision was rooted in artistic integrity rather than logistical strain.  “Rosenkavalier is a work of tremendous scale and emotional depth,” she noted. “Our goal is not simply to present it, but to present it beautifully. Adjusting the schedule allows us to uphold the level of excellence our audiences expect and that our artists deserve.”

The company has assured patrons that their tickets will remain valid for the November performances and that complimentary seating upgrades will be offered as a gesture of appreciation. Despite the adjustment, Palmer expressed excitement about the upcoming festival, calling it “a spectacular celebration of music, storytelling, and the cultural vibrancy of New Orleans.”

“This is a transformative moment for the company,” she said. “We are raising the bar, expanding our vision, and building something that will resonate far beyond this season. The festival is just the beginning.” With new leadership, expanded programming, and a renewed commitment to artistic excellence, the New Orleans Opera views this transition as a defining step in its evolution, positioning the company for a dynamic and ambitious future. The New Orleans Opera has moved its upcoming production of Der Rosenkavalier to the third week of November 2026 as the company transitions into its inaugural New Orleans Opera Festival, opening March 24. The shift aligns production resources with the organization’s expanded festival model, which consolidates multiple titles, partnerships, and community programs into a single concentrated season.

The inaugural festival will feature Dialogues of the Carmelites, Show Boat, and the world premiere of Pilgrimage, along with a recital by Golda Schultz. Early demand is strong, with Dialogues nearly sold out. Artistic Director Lila Palmer, who joined the company this season, is leading the transition. An internationally recognized librettist with a reputation for rigorous artistic standards, Palmer has positioned the festival as a structural and aesthetic reset for the company. “This move ensures that Rosenkavalier receives the full production environment it requires,” Palmer said. “The festival represents a significant expansion of our artistic scope, and aligning our schedule with that reality is essential.”

New Orleans Opera confirmed that the entire creative team and the majority of principals, including director Melly Still and conductor David Neely, have been re‑engaged for the November staging ofRosenkavalier, maintaining continuity and preserving the production’s original artistic vision.