Discover all the new offerings at the Gran Teatre del Liceu for the 2025-2026 season, featuring titles such as Tristan und Isolde by Richard Wagner, L'elisir d'amore by Gaetano Donizetti, Le nozze di Figaro by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, among other productions and performances by renowned national and international voices.
The Gran Teatre del Liceu presents a new 25/26 season defined by the unpredictable, with a repertoire that spans newly created compositions, new productions, the most acclaimed international conductors, prestigious stage directors, and the finest singers from around the world. The Liceu continues to progress through a period of consolidation and evolution, aiming for singularity and the constant pursuit of excellence.
Under the concept of “unpredictable,” the new programme explores the power to surprise and transcend expectations. With a coherent and ambitious project, the Liceu seeks to adapt to a changing environment and contribute to the cultural legacy.
The Liceu launches a season that invites audiences to immerse themselves in the only certainty possible: the experience of living the unpredictable. A season marked by great titles and enriched by “the voices of the unforeseen,” offering interdisciplinary interpretations to explore the deepest emotions. With the goal of consolidating itself as a centre for the arts and thought, the Liceu will feature the participation of artists Marina Abramović, Santi Moix, Joan Jonas, Enric Casasses, Gonzalo Guzmán, and Eulàlia Valldosera.
The art of the unforeseen: voices that illuminate, directors who reinvent, batons that dream
The Liceu will continue to be a benchmark in the world of opera, with the presence of the most prominent names on today’s operatic scene, including Lise Davidsen, Asmik Grigorian, Renée Fleming, Javier Camarena, Pretty Yende, Juan Diego Flórez, Luca Salsi, Ambrogio Maestri, Iréne Theorin, Michael Spyres, Michael Fabiano, Daniela Barcellona, Roberto Alagna, Clay Hilley, Ekaterina Semenchuk, Julia Lezhneva, Peter Mattei, Franco Fagioli, Violeta Urmana, Matthew Polenzani, Anastasia Bartoli, Adriana González and Konstantin Krimmel, among many others.
In addition, the theatre will offer a prominent space to major national voices, with singers such as Xabier Anduaga, Saioa Hernández, Sara Blanch, Serena Sáenz, Simón Orfila, Àngel Òdena, David Alegret, Marina Monzó, Gemma Coma-Alabert, Carles Pachon and Joan Martín-Royo, who will take on some of the leading roles of the season.
The 25/26 season will also feature some of the most renowned stage directors, including Àlex Ollé, Barrie Kosky, Laurent Pelly, Christof Loy, Phelim McDermott, Mario Gas, Bárbara Lluch, Romain Gilbert and Marta Pazos. It will also include some of the most international batons, such as Josep Pons, Jordi Savall, Karen Kamensek, Giovanni Antonini, Diego Matheuz, Susanna Mälkki, Daniel Oren, René Jacobs, Marc Minkowski, Rinaldo Alessandrini, Henrik Nánási and Paolo Arrivabeni.
OPERA. The beauty of the unpredictable
The new season will begin on September 22, 2025, with the opera The Cunning Little Vixen by Leoš Janáček. Barrie Kosky is the stage director of this co-production with the Bayerische Staatsoper in Munich. Josep Pons, a conductor deeply familiar with the composer and his extraordinary orchestral writing, will deliver a masterful interpretation of the work. Swedish baritone Peter Mattei will offer a moving and wise performance as the Forester. Elena Tsallagova plays the young Vixen, and Angela Brouwer the charismatic Vixen.
To celebrate the 25th anniversary of Petit Liceu, The Cunning Little Vixen, the first title of the season, will be offered with tickets at half the price of a conventional staged opera for all its performances.
Before the official opening (September 20), there will be a special preview performance as part of the “Opera Between Generations” programme, with tickets priced at €35, encouraging young and older audiences to share their passion for opera.
It will also be the first opera to be broadcast live on Liceu OPERA+ following the platform’s relaunch.
One of the most special moments of the season is the arrival of the new production of Tristan und Isolde by Richard Wagner, with stage direction by Bárbara Lluch. The world debut of Lise Davidsen in the role of Isolde at the Gran Teatre del Liceu, conducted by Susanna Mälkki, is one of the most anticipated events in the international opera scene. Alongside her, Clay Hilley will take on the role of Tristan, one of the most demanding yet fascinating characters in the repertoire. The promise of these unforgettable performances reinforces the Liceu’s role as a true temple of Wagnerian opera.
Among the new productions of the unpredictable is Marta Pazos’ fresh take on Le nozze di Figaro by Wolfgang A. Mozart. This production will challenge audiences with the notion of seduction, while also questioning what it means to be a man or a woman in today’s society and what limits we set on our desires. Giovanni Antonini leads this monumental score, conducting the exceptional voices of Sara Blanch, Konstantin Krimmel, and others.
Within the new productions, the commitment to contemporary creation takes shape in the micro-opera project Oh!pera, mentored by stage director Àlex Ollé, resident artist at the Liceu. In its fifth edition, this collaboration with the Barcelona City Council’s Department of Tourism and Creative Industries, the Disseny Hub Barcelona, and various design schools in the city returns to present three short operas in a single evening. This season, Oh!pera will feature composers Sergi Puig, Arnau Brichs, and Anna Colom; librettists Pablo Macho, Pol Guasch, and Alicia Kopf; and stage directors Ferran Utzet, Lucia del Greco, and Marc Salicrú.
The landscape of new creation expands further with Els Stuntmen, an operatic project with libretto and stage direction by Nao Albet and Marcel Borràs and original music by Fernando Velázquez. Starring a group of film stunt performers, this opera questions traditional notions of masculinity and dismantles its archetypes. Co-produced with the Teatro Real, Teatros del Canal, and Teatre Lliure, the opera will be performed at the Teatre Lliure.
The Liceu co-produces Romain Gilbert’s production of La Gioconda by Amilcare Ponchielli, conducted by maestro Daniel Oren, which will arrive at the theatre in February 2026. For these performances, the Liceu brings together some of today’s most beloved operatic stars: Saioa Hernández and Ekaterina Semenchuk, who makes her debut in the role, alternating with Saioa in this new production between the Gran Teatre del Liceu and Teatro di San Carlo in Naples. The role of the passionate Enzo Grimaldo—originally premiered by the legendary Julian Gayarre—demands great technical and musical prowess, which will be showcased by Michael Fabiano and Martin Muehle. Gilbert sets the action in a mysterious, shadowy Venice, with black-and-white canals that evoke both the festive and sinister spirits of the city. A production that aims to highlight the dramatic and musical power of a sensational opera, full of unpredictable twists, standout performers, and an intensely expressive score.
Akhnaten, the third part of Philip Glass’s operatic trilogy on revolutionary historical figures, comes to the Liceu with the unmistakable imprint of the American composer. After Einstein on the Beach (1976) and Satyagraha (1980), this opera—set in ancient Egypt—stands out for its hypnotic music and ritualistic codes. The production is conducted by Karen Kamensek, a specialist in contemporary repertoire and a regular collaborator of Glass. The characteristic minimalist ingenuity of Glass is complemented by Phelim McDermott’s beautiful staging. Countertenor Anthony Roth Costanzo performs as Akhnaten, with mezzo-soprano Rihab Chaieb as Nefertiti. This is one of the most significant premieres of the last few decades in the national opera scene.
One of the highlights of the season is the Liceu premiere of Manon Lescaut by Giacomo Puccini, in a new production by Àlex Ollé and under the musical direction of Josep Pons. The great Asmik Grigorian plays a Manon portrayed as innocent and vulnerable, a character that Ollé presents with great emotional force, capturing the tension between frivolity and determined passion.
Christof Loy’s production of Werther by Jules Massenet arrives at the Liceu for the first time, with musical direction by Henrik Nánási. Xabier Anduaga, making his debut in the role, and Matthew Polenzani alternate as Werther, with Kristina Stanek and Elmina Hasan sharing the role of Charlotte. With an intimate and psychological approach, Loy sets the action in an elegant and minimalist 1950s-style set, where the characters move through a symbolic space that enhances the emotional depth of this delicate yet heartrending score.
Great voices will also feature in L’elisir d’amore, Gaetano Donizetti’s iconic opera, returning to the Liceu in November, conducted by one of today’s most acclaimed batons: Diego Matheuz. Pretty Yende, Serena Sáenz, and Marina Monzó take on the role of Adina, while Javier Camarena, Michael Spyres, and Filipe Manu perform as Nemorino. Mario Gas’ beautiful and insightful production premiered at the Teatre Grec and the Castell de Peralada International Festival in 1983, and has been part of the Liceu’s programming since the 1997–1998 season.
Another classic repertoire title returning to the Liceu is Falstaff by Giuseppe Verdi. Laurent Pelly’s staging sets the action in the 20th century and concludes with a large mirror reflecting the audience, inviting them to laugh at themselves. Josep Pons conducts a dazzlingly brilliant score, marking his farewell as the Liceu’s music director. Luca Salsi and Ambrogio Maestri portray the decadent knight Falstaff, alongside a distinguished cast including Carolina López, Daniela Barcellona, Serena Sáenz, Santiago Ballerini, and Igor Golovatenko. A clever and theatrically agile production, it will be seen for the first time at the Liceu, combining humour, melancholy, and stage wisdom in Verdi’s final great laugh.
Operas in V.C. An Unrepeatable Experience
The renowned French conductor Marc Minkowski returns to the Liceu to conduct Orlando, one of the most celebrated operas by Georg Friedrich Händel. Considered one of the most important musical personalities of his generation, Minkowski will once again lead his ensemble, Les Musiciens du Louvre, to reveal this rich score. Orlando is a fundamental serious opera in the baroque repertoire that has transcended time for its emotional complexity and intricate musical development. A story that blends mythology, love, and madness, with the iconic voices of Aude Extremo (Orlando), Ana Maria Labin (Angelica), Yuriy Mynenko (Medoro), Alina Wunderlin (Dorinda), and Edward Jowle (Zoroastro).
Paolo Arrivabeni will lead the Gran Teatre del Liceu Symphony Orchestra to conduct Semiramide, one of the last operas by Gioachino Rossini. This work stands out for its exuberant music and an intense plot filled with passions, family conflicts, and political intrigue. The characteristic brilliance of Rossini combines with moments of great dramatic tension, arias, and ensembles of exceptional richness and difficulty. The story revolves around the Queen of Babylon, trapped in a web of revenge and secrets, addressing themes such as guilt, vengeance, and filial love. The cast will shine in the score with Adela Zaharia (Semiramide), Franco Fagioli (Arsace), Marko Mimica (Assur), and Maxim Mironov (Idreno).
This June, Aci, Galatea e Polifemo by Georg Friedrich Händel will arrive, conducted by René Jacobs with the Kammerorchester Basel. The opera tells an intense love triangle between the shepherd Aci (Kateryna Kasper), the sea nymph Galatea (Sophie Harmsen), and the cyclops Polifemo (Christian Senn), whose rejection leads to tragedy. With the structure typical of the baroque —recitatives, arias, and choruses—, Händel creates a dramatic cantata where the music not only accompanies the story but also reveals the emotional nuances of the characters. René Jacobs will guide us to discover its full expressive intensity and richness.
The Liceu, the Theatre of Voices
The Gran Teatre del Liceu, continuing its commitment to bringing together the most outstanding voices in the international scene, presents a program of concerts and recitals that ensure a high artistic standard for unforgettable evenings.
In March, Juan Diego Flórez, with his magnetic presence and unique ability to establish a deep connection with the audience, returns to the Gran Teatre del Liceu to offer a recital that promises to be unforgettable. A celebration of his extensive career and his most brilliant vocal moment. The tenor will be accompanied by Vincenzo Scalera on the piano, offering an evening full of new material and the greatest hits from his most recent roles.
The Liceu is preparing to host one of those nights that promises to be etched in the Theatre’s history: a night with Renée Fleming. Considered one of the most extraordinary and admired voices in the international operatic scene, Fleming will perform a recital on December 12, accompanied by Howard Watkins on the piano.
Some concerts have the ability to become part of the collective memory even before the curtain rises. The recital on April 19 with Pretty Yende and Xabier Anduaga is a clear example: two internationally acclaimed voices, beloved by the Liceu audience, come together to offer a bel canto recital for the first time. Accompanied by pianist Vanessa García Diepa, with a solid career alongside some of the great vocal figures of the moment, this recital is set to be one of the must-attend events of the season.
The renowned French tenor of Italian origin Roberto Alagna returns to the Liceu on October 30, with a recital entirely dedicated to Giacomo Puccini. Considered a living legend on international stages, Alagna will deliver an authentic vocal display, performing some of the most demanding and iconic arias by the Italian composer. He will be accompanied by Jeff Cohen on the piano, in a recital that promises to be one of the great moments of the season.
Once again, the Liceu will host the Concurs Tenor Viñas, which in its 63rd edition will continue to discover new talents.
Dance. The Unpredictable from the Gesture
The renowned Bayerisches Staatsballett company kicks off the ballet season at the Gran Teatre del Liceu with this classic, a must-see for dance lovers. The German troupe takes the stage with Giselle by Adolphe Adam, choreographed by Sir Peter Wright in 1974, based on the original 1841 material by Marius Petipa, Jean Coralli, and Jules Perrot. On this occasion, Igor Zelensky has revived the production, injecting a new spirit and color while maintaining the classical style for which it has always been known.
The artist of the season, Marina Abramović, brings her Balkan Erotic Epic to the Liceu stage after having presented 7 Deaths of Maria Callas in 2023. The Serbian artist and mother of performance art, Marina Abramović, presents one of her boldest and most provocative works. In Balkan Erotic Epic, Abramović fuses eroticism with Balkan folklore traditions and mythology, creating a visually and emotionally powerful piece that will leave no one indifferent. Commissioned by Factory International in Manchester, Berliner Festspiele, and the Gran Teatre del Liceu, with production by Factory International in Manchester.
John Neumeier's choreographies return to the Liceu with Nijinsky, a piece created in 2000 that explores the biography of a soul trapped between emotions and memories: the Russian-born Polish dancer and choreographer Václav Nijinsky (1889-1950). Considered one of the most brilliant dancers in history, Nijinsky has become a legend. John Neumeier, the highly acclaimed choreographer of The Hamburg Ballet for 50 years, has dedicated many of his creations to exploring the complexity of this exceptional figure.
The Gran Gala de Dansa at the Liceu will be an unmissable event for classical dance lovers, musically directed by Andrea Quinn. This event, which brings together some of the most prominent figures in international ballet, is a fascinating journey through beauty, technique, and expressiveness that the great performers are capable of achieving. The stars of this gala will offer an exceptional program combining different iconic fragments from the classical repertoire. A virtuosity exhibition that represents the Liceu's commitment to promoting dance as a fundamental pillar of its artistic project, with major classical dance names such as Svetlana Zakharova, Natalia Osipova, Iana Salenko, Reece Clarke, Isabella Boylston, Maria Khoreva, Daniil Simkin, and other stars from around the world.
The mystery of the unpredictable sound: symphonic and chamber cycle.
The 2025/26 season will be one of the most significant for the Gran Teatre del Liceu Symphony Orchestra, not only for its reaffirmation of excellence but also for marking the culmination of a long and extraordinary project under the baton of Maestro Josep Pons. After more than 14 years of dedication to the Orchestra, Maestro Pons will close this chapter with the completion of Mahler's symphonic cycle, a musical journey that began two seasons ago and now reaches its grand finale. A particularly emotional moment for the maestro, the Orchestra, and the audience, who will be able to enjoy two magnificent concerts: Symphony No. 9 and Symphony No. 8 'Symphony of a Thousand', which will also serve as a tribute to Maestro Pons' immense legacy at the Liceu.
Before the season inauguration, on September 6 at 9:00 PM, the Gran Teatre del Liceu Orchestra and Chorus, under the direction of Josep Pons, will participate in the Millennial Music Festival with a very special concert at the Basilica of Santa Maria de Montserrat. They will perform Symphony No. 2 in C minor, Auferstehung (Resurrection) by Gustav Mahler.
The maestro will also conduct the Simfònic en Família concert on March 22. This concert will celebrate the Gran Teatre del Liceu Orchestra’s 25 years of El Petit Liceu. A symphonic and family-friendly concert designed so that everyone, both young and old, can enjoy an impactful and unforgettable musical experience.
Chamber music will also continue throughout the 2025/26 season with the Constel·lacions cycle, aimed at introducing the Orchestra’s musicians as soloists to the public, with a total of three concerts throughout the season.
The Liceu continues its project with conductor Rinaldo Alessandrini and his Concerto Italiano, which will continue showcasing Monteverdi’s Madrigals in their entirety at the Foyer. This season will feature the seventh installment with the fifth book.
The unpredictable magic of the Arts
Since his arrival at the Theatre in 2019, Víctor Garcia de Gomar's artistic project has aimed to turn the Liceu into a center of the arts where opera is the core, but where other disciplines such as visual arts, anthropology, philosophy, poetry, science, and technology also converge. In a changing society full of uncertainties, the Theatre wants to be a space that generates questions, where the question itself becomes the constant symbol. Opera is understood as a manual for life, and the Liceu, as an academy of human emotions and passions.
With a career that turns her life into a work of art, Marina Abramović is the main artist of this season's El Liceu de les Arts. The Serbian artist offers a transformative experience that connects with eroticism, emotions, tensions, and contradictions inherent in culture with her Balkan Erotic Epic. Additionally, Abramović explores vulnerability, body consciousness, and connection with the world through an exceptional exhibition at the Hall of Mirrors in January.
The visual artist Santi Moix will merge his work with the concert Festa Criolla, a journey to the musical roots of Latin America with Jordi Savall, on November 6 at the Sala Gran. With this concert, Savall continues his exploration of the connections between cultures through music, offering a fascinating immersion into the musical roots of Latin America. Accompanied by Le Concert des Nations and musicians from popular traditions, Savall transports us to the sonic mestizaje that arose from the fusion of indigenous, African, and European cultures in the New World. Moix's work is characterized by an explosion of colors and organic shapes that converse with nature and spirituality. The live creation of Moix, combined with Savall's performance, constitutes an unparalleled spectacle. Moix will also offer an exhibition at the Saló dels Miralls from November 3 to 16.
The work of visual artist Joan Jonas and the texts of Enric Casasses, the poet-in-residence at the Liceu during this season, will collaborate in the creation of a contemporary bestiary for the concert Bestiari, scheduled for June 11 at the Foyer. The show will include a musical album with new creations from national composers such as Benet Casablancas, Ferran Cuixent, Raquel Garcia-Tomas, Albert Guinovart, Ramon Humet, Joan Magrané, Marian Màrquez, Marc Migo, Hèctor Parra, and Fabià Santcovsky. These new works will be performed by distinguished musicians from our country, including Mercedes Gancedo, Gemma Coma-Alabert, David Alegret, Josep Ramon Olive, Albert Cano Smit, and Marc Heredia. All will collaborate in the creation of a contemporary bestiary that rediscovered a worldview where everything is imbued with meaning, where nature is sacred, and the imagination, limitless.
Penique Productions will completely transform the main hall of the Liceu with an artistic intervention that goes beyond decoration or stage design: it generates a sensory experience that invites the audience to perceive and live the space in a new, surprising, and unpredictable way. The installation will be open for viewing on March 15.
Chinese performance artist and photographer Liu Bolin will leave his mark on the Gran Teatre del Liceu in May with a new action within his renowned Urban Camouflages series. Bolin paints himself using traditional painting techniques to blend visually with his surroundings — such as a garden or a newspaper stand, or in this case, the Theatre — and then photographs the result, becoming part of the landscape.
The exhibitions of sculptor Gonzalo Guzmán and visual artist Eulàlia Valldosera complete this interdisciplinary programming.