IU Will Co-produce Lincoln in the Bardo Opera
The Jacobs School of Music will perform the adaptation in Bloomington following its 2026 Metropolitan Opera premiere.
Updated on Oct. 13, 2026 in Opera
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Indiana University's Jacobs School of Music will co-produce the opera Lincoln in the Bardo in partnership with the Metropolitan Opera. The production will arrive at the Musical Arts Center in Bloomington in April 2028.
Why it matters
The partnership allows students to gain professional experience by working directly with industry experts including directors, conductors, and choreographers. This collaboration follows a similar joint effort on a previous operatic project.
The production spans a duration of two and a half hours and utilizes a 48-foot stage turntable. It is based on a novel by George Saunders that was condensed to fit the requirements of the stage.
The players
Jacobs School of Music
This is a music conservatory at Indiana University that frequently trains students for professional careers in performance and production.
Metropolitan Opera
Located in New York, this institution is one of the world's leading opera companies and a major venue for high-level artistic productions.
George Saunders
He is the author of the novel on which the opera Lincoln in the Bardo is based.
The details
The Musical Arts Center is currently undergoing renovations, including a new stage floor and equipment, to ensure the facility is ready for the production. The staging design allows scenery to roll directly onto the stage from the wings to facilitate scene transitions.
Timeline
The opera opens at the Metropolitan Opera on October 19, 2026.
The opera run concludes at the Metropolitan Opera on November 15, 2026.
Auditions for the Bloomington performance occur during the fall 2027 semester.
The opera will be performed at the Jacobs School in April 2028.
Industry Dynamics
This production follows the precedent of the previous collaboration on The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay. The project reflects a broader trend of major opera companies partnering with top university music schools to foster professional-level training environments.
Local residents in Bloomington can expect the production to arrive at the Musical Arts Center in April 2028. Ticket availability and pricing details for the campus performances will be announced as the semester dates approach.
The takeaway
This collaboration highlights the importance of institutional partnerships in providing students with real-world theatrical experience. Audience members can look forward to seeing how the stage renovations at the Musical Arts Center enhance future performances.
Further reading
Learn more about local productions at the Opera page.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Indiana Public Media.
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