Metropolitan Opera Premieres Missy Mazzoli Work
Composer Missy Mazzoli makes history as the first woman to have an opera premiered by the Metropolitan Opera.
Updated on Oct. 25, 2026 in Opera
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The Metropolitan Opera has reached a historic milestone by premiering an opera by 45-year-old composer Missy Mazzoli. This marks the first time in the 143-year history of the institution that a work by a female composer has been presented.
Why it matters
Mazzoli chose to adapt the novel Lincoln in the Bardo because she felt its themes of a divided America resonate strongly today. The production features a libretto by Royce Vavrek, with whom Mazzoli has collaborated on six operas.
The composer is a 45-year-old veteran who has now written six operas alongside librettist Royce Vavrek. She also established the non-profit Luna Lab ten years ago to support emerging composers.
The players
Missy Mazzoli
She is a 45-year-old composer who co-founded the non-profit organization Luna Lab ten years ago.
Metropolitan Opera
This prestigious New York City institution has maintained a continuous operation for 143 years.
Royce Vavrek
He is a frequent collaborator of Mazzoli who serves as the librettist for their musical works.
George Saunders
He is the author of the novel Lincoln in the Bardo, which provides the source material for the opera.
The details
Mazzoli spent significant time visiting cemeteries to research the subject matter for the adaptation of George Saunders' novel. The opera depicts the death of 11-year-old Willie Lincoln.
Timeline
Summer 2026: Premiere of the work The Galloping Cure
October 2026: Premiere of Lincoln in the Bardo at the Met
Industry Dynamics
This production represents a major shift in the programming traditions of the Metropolitan Opera, which has operated for 143 years. The move reflects broader industry efforts to diversify the repertoire and bring contemporary voices to the world's most storied stages.
Theatergoers can now experience this landmark work as part of the current Met season. The performance allows audiences to witness a historic shift in institutional programming while engaging with a contemporary adaptation of a modern literary work.
The takeaway
Mazzoli's success highlights the ongoing evolution of classical music institutions as they embrace new voices and complex, modern narratives. Aspiring creators can look to her career as a model for blending long-term organizational leadership with creative artistic innovation.
Further reading
For more on the current state of the art form, visit the Opera section.
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