2026 Opera Saratoga Summer Festival

About this event

Opera Saratoga celebrates its 65th anniversary in 2026 with a diverse summer festival featuring grand musical theater, beloved comic opera, and groundbreaking new workshops. This milestone season brings together world-class artists and local collaborators for a vibrant series of performances primarily hosted at the historic Universal Preservation Hall.

Mainstage Productions

Happy End

• Dates: May 28 at 7:00 PM; May 30 at 7:00 PM

• Venue: Universal Preservation Hall

• Details: A historic partnership between Opera Saratoga, Glimmerglass Festival, Finger Lakes Opera, and Seagle Festival.

• Content: A 1929 satire by Kurt Weill, Bertolt Brecht, and Elisabeth Hauptmann set in a Chicago speakeasy where gangsters meet the Salvation Army.

• Musical Highlights: Features the "Bilbao Song," "Mandalay Song," and "Surabaya Johnny."

My Fair Lady

• Dates: June 20 at 7:00 PM; June 24 at 7:00 PM; June 26 at 7:00 PM; June 28 at 2:00 PM

• Venue: Universal Preservation Hall

• Creative Team: Directed by Mary Birnbaum, choreographed by Julia Eichten, and music directed by Adam Nielsen.

• Scale: A "love letter to theater" featuring 10 singing actors playing all roles accompanied by two pianists.

• Content: The classic story of Eliza Doolittle and Henry Higgins featuring "I Could Have Danced All Night" and "Wouldn’t It Be Loverly."

The Elixir of Love

• Dates: June 21 at 2:00 PM; June 23 at 7:00 PM; June 25 at 7:00 PM; June 27 at 7:00 PM

• Venue: Universal Preservation Hall

• Story: A charming romantic comedy where the lovesick Nemorino buys a "love potion" (actually Bordeaux) from the quack Doctor Dulcamara to win over Adina.

• Musical Highlights: Features Donizetti’s famous bel-canto arias "Una furtiva lagrima" and "Prendi per me se libero."

• Theme: Selected to celebrate Saratoga’s local history as a health destination.

Drift (Workshop)

• Dates: June 21 at 7:00 PM; June 26 at 2:00 PM

• Venue: Universal Preservation Hall

• Creative Team: Composed by Alyssa Weinberg with librettist J. Mae Barizo; conducted by Christopher Allen and directed by Caili Quan.

• Content: A piano and electronics workshop exploring themes of motherlands, migration, and memory.

Concerts & Special Events

65th Opera Gala

• Date: June 4 at 5:00 PM

• Venue: Saratoga National Golf Club

• Details: A milestone black-tie celebration featuring special performances, secret surprises, and live/silent auctions.

Something Wonderful

• Date: May 31 at 12:00 PM (Brunch) and 5:00 PM (Dinner)

• Venue: The Mansion of Saratoga

• Details: Festival Artists perform hits from Rodgers and Hammerstein favorites like Carousel, Oklahoma!, and South Pacific.

• Tickets: Includes a buffet meal; premium tickets offer reserved seating and special treats.

Festival Artist Portrait Concerts

• Dates: May 20, May 27, June 6, and June 10 at 7:00 PM

• Venue: Saratoga Arts (320 Broadway)

• Format: Hour-long concerts featuring 20 rising opera stars performing the music that inspired their careers.

• Tickets: $20 general admission.

Capital Region Composers Concert

• Date: June 27 at 2:00 PM

• Venue: Universal Preservation Hall

• Content: A 90-minute celebration of music by local composers including Evan Mack, Bernadette Speach, Richard Wargo, and more.

• Bonus: Followed by a talkback session with General and Artistic Director Mary Birnbaum.

FSM x Opera Saratoga: Italian Wine Dinner

• Date: May 23 from 6:30 PM – 9:30 PM

• Venue: Franklin Square Market

• Details: An intimate 5-course feast limited to 30 guests, featuring wine pairings by Annette Tomei and live musical introductions by Mary Birnbaum.

Community Engagement

Family Shows

• Dates: June 20 and June 23 at 11:00 AM

• Venue: Universal Preservation Hall

• Details: A free, interactive 45-minute introduction to opera for children featuring music from the mainstage season.

• Activities: Lobby crafts by the Albany Institute of History & Art and the Children's Museum at Saratoga, plus a meet-and-greet with the performers.