Royal Opera House: Oliver Mears on the New Season and Wagner

Oliver Mears, the director of opera at the Royal Opera House in Covent Garden, is steering the company toward a new season designed to keep audiences on the edge of their seats following a period of controversy and high-stakes productions.

The upcoming programming emphasizes a mix of bold new debuts and the completion of major cycles, most notably the conclusion of Barrie Kosky’s acclaimed staging of Richard Wagner’s Ring cycle. This follows the recent production of Siegfried, the third part of the cycle, which featured Andreas Schager in the title role.

Upcoming Productions and New Directorial Debuts

The next season will feature a new production of Wagner’s Parsifal. This production will be conducted by Music Director Jakub Hrůša and marks the house debut of director Evgeny Titov, whom Mears described as brilliantly charismatic and interesting.

Further additions to the schedule include a new production of Verdi’s Un Ballo in Maschera, directed by German director Philipp Stölzl, who is also making his debut at the house. Mears characterized Stölzl as stylish and rigorous.

The company will also see the return of Richard Jones’s production of Janáček’s Kát’a Kabanová, with Jakub Hrůša conducting. This follows Hrůša’s previous work with Janáček’s Jenůfa during the prior season.

The 2025/26 Season Framework

The broader 2025/26 season was announced on April 2, 2025, as an exciting new chapter for the company. This period marks the first full season under Music Director Jakub Hrůša, who is joined by Principal Guest Conductor Speranza Scappucci and Royal Ballet Music Director Koen Kessels.

The season includes eight new opera productions. One of the primary highlights was a new production of Tosca, directed by Oliver Mears and conducted by Hrůša, which opened the season.

Other significant operatic developments in this cycle include:

• The first-ever staging of Janáček’s The Makropulos Case, featuring a contemporary production by Katie Mitchell and conducted by Hrůša.
• A revival of Deborah Warner’s production of Peter Grimes, led by Hrůša.
• A concert featuring the music of Bartók and Dvořák, performed by the Orchestra of the Royal Opera House and Royal Opera Chorus.

Integration of Technology and Ballet

Beyond traditional opera, the Royal Ballet and Opera introduced RBO/Shift, a new festival dedicated to exploring the intersection of opera and technology.

The Royal Ballet’s contributions to the 2025/26 season include world premieres by Akram Khan, Cathy Marston, Wayne McGregor, and the choreographic duo Paul Lightfoot and Sol León. The season also marked the first presentation of work by American choreographer Justin Peck and the return of Peter Wright’s The Nutcracker for the Christmas period.

These initiatives reflect Mears’ broader goal of balancing high-art traditions with modern engagement to ensure that the opera remains a vivid and immersive experience for the public.