Metropolitan Opera Will Debut Lincoln in the Bardo
The new production, based on George Saunders' novel, arrives in New York City on October 19, 2026.
Updated on Sept. 23, 2026 in Opera
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The Metropolitan Opera will premiere its co-production of Lincoln in the Bardo, an opera based on George Saunders' 2017 novel, on October 19, 2026. This collaborative project features music by Missy Mazzoli and a libretto by Royce Vavrek.
Why it matters
The partnership between the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music and the Metropolitan Opera seeks to advance arts education and expand the scope of modern operatic productions. By integrating students into the professional process, the project provides unique opportunities for emerging talent to engage with high-level performances.
The production is based on George Saunders' 2017 novel, which is set in 1862 and centers on the death of 11-year-old Willie Lincoln. It is a co-commissioned effort involving the Santa Fe Opera.
The players
Missy Mazzoli
She is the composer who wrote the music for this new operatic adaptation.
Lileana Blain-Cruz
She is the director responsible for overseeing the staging of this production.
George Saunders
He is the author of the 2017 novel that serves as the basis for this opera.
Indiana University Jacobs School of Music
This institution is co-producing the work to provide students with professional operatic experience.
Metropolitan Opera
Located in New York City, it is the primary venue hosting the upcoming production.
The details
Directed by Lileana Blain-Cruz, the opera will run at the Metropolitan Opera through November 15, 2026. Students from the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music are actively participating in the creation of educational materials and the collection of audience data for the HD Live in the Schools program.
Timeline
October 19, 2026: The opera opens at the Metropolitan Opera.
November 15, 2026: The production concludes its New York run.
April 2028: The opera will make its Bloomington debut at the Musical Arts Center.
Industry Dynamics
This production follows the established pattern of the HD Live in the Schools program by integrating student-led data collection and education into a major professional artistic endeavor. The project signals a deepening trend of academic and professional institutional partnerships in contemporary opera.
Audiences can experience the production in New York City during its month-long run beginning in late 2026. Educational outreach associated with the performance aims to provide students with unique access to the creation and study of professional operatic roles.
The takeaway
This collaboration highlights the growing importance of educational integration within the professional performing arts sector. By bridging the gap between university training and major opera houses, the production offers a blueprint for future institutional partnerships in music.
What happens next
The production will open at the Metropolitan Opera on October 19, 2026, and is scheduled for a debut at the Musical Arts Center in Bloomington in April 2028.
Further reading
Learn more about the local arts scene by visiting the Opera section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by WBIW.
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