Opera in the East Midlands 2026 - 2027
From Mozart and Rossini to Gilbert & Sullivan and Beethoven - where you can see opera and operetta performed in Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Lincolnshire, Leicestershire, Rutland and Northamptonshire, including fully staged, semi-staged and concert versions of complete operas.
Locations covered include Buxton, Derby, Leicester, Lincoln, Northampton and Nottingham.
The Marriage of Figaro
Theatre RoyalTheatre Square, Nottingham, NG1 5ND
5th Mar 2026 to 7th Mar 2026
This brand-new production of The Marriage of Figaro ?re-imagines the mischief in a quintessential modern country home.
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Peter Grimes
Theatre RoyalTheatre Square, Nottingham, NG1 5ND
6th Mar 2026
Conflict threatens to tear apart a close-knit fishing community on the east coast of England in this searing, sea-swept classic.
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Madama Butterfly
Winding Wheel TheatreHolywell Street, Chesterfield S41 7SA
13th Mar 2026
Set in Japan at the turn of the last century, it is the story of a doomed love affair between an American naval officer and his young Japanese bride whose self-sacrifice and defiance of her family leads to tragedy.
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Carmen
De Montfort HallGranville Road, Leicester LE1 7RU
16th Mar 2026
Senbla presents Ellen Kent's Farewell Opera Tour featuring The Ukrainian Opera with International Soloists, Highly Praised Chorus and Full Orchestra.
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Madama Butterfly
De Montfort HallGranville Road, Leicester LE1 7RU
17th Mar 2026
Senbla presents Opera International's award-winning Ellen Kent production featuring the Kharkiv National Opera and Ballet Theatre Ukraine with international soloists, highly-praised chorus and full orchestra.
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The Pirates of Penzance
The Duchess TheatreChatsworth Arts Centre, Derbyshire, NG10 1EF
15th Apr 2026
Melbourne Operatic Society present Gilbert & Sullivan's popular comic opera.
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Pagliacci
Buxton Opera HouseWater Street, Buxton, Derbyshire SK17 6XN
17th Apr 2026
When Canio, leader of a theatre troupe, sees his life reflected in rehearsals for an upcoming opera, he becomes convinced that his wife is having an affair. Can Canio temper his spiralling emotions, or will his jealousy get the better of him?
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The Gondoliers
Buxton Opera HouseWater Street, Buxton, Derbyshire SK17 6XN
18th Apr 2026
Two handsome and charming gondoliers discover that one is the long-lost heir to the throne of Barataria - but which one? In the pursuit of the truth, a bewildering series of events threaten both their marriages and their claim to the throne.
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Rigoletto
Shrewsbury AbbeyAbbey Foregate, Shrewsbury, Shropshire SY2 6BS
17th May 2026
This is one of the most famous operas with melodies you will instantly recognise. From the fireworks of Gilda's Caro Nome to the greatly recognised La donna e mobile!
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Buxton International Festival
Buxton Opera HouseWater Street, Buxton, Derbyshire SK17 6XN
9th Jul 2026 to 26th Jul 2026
The festival returns to Buxton for 2026, including The Merry Widow, Le dernier sorcier, La Traviata and La liberazione di Ruggiero.
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32nd International Gilbert & Sullivan Festival
Buxton Opera HouseWater Street, Buxton, Derbyshire SK17 6XN
1st Aug 2026 to 15th Aug 2026
An annual feast of Gilbert and Sullivan packed with their popular operas. From professional and amateur productions, concerts and talks, it is everything for G&S fans.
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Madama Butterfly
Shrewsbury AbbeyAbbey Foregate, Shrewsbury, Shropshire SY2 6BS
1st Nov 2026
It takes a heart of stone not to be moved by the great tragedy of this story, which is so enriched by the composition. Presented ny North Wales Opera.
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