The 2025-2026 season of the Opéra national de Lorraine (which should henceforth be called “ National Opera of Nancy-Lorraine “) thus underlines its local roots and its regional influence. The new programming is structured around the theme “ …But courage? », through a bold program and at least 5 notable productions, an artistic and human journey, with particular attention paid to the notion of courage, through strong characters and situations, inspiring stories. Here are the highlights and major events:
ALL THE INFORMATIONticketing, details of programs, productions, guest artists on the website of the Opéra national de Nancy-Lorraine:
OPERAS and LYRIC CREATIONS
La Bohème by Puccini, December 14-23, 2025
A classic of the repertoire, exploring youth and resilience in the face of adversity.
La Bohème or “the Spleen of Paris” – Living on love and art in a freezing attic, laughing at poverty and using lightness as a weapon against the adversity of fate: this is the insane bet of the characters in Scènes de la vie de bohème (1851), this short novel by Henry Murger which would later inspire Puccini’s opera (1895). By showing “bohemians” dreaming and failing in their lives, Puccini and his librettists divert the success story that Murger imagined. La Bohème is this negative and disillusioned Christmas tale exalting this sublime tragedy, so operatic (and inevitably so tearful too) which touches the spectator right in the heart. David Geselson’s staging places his Bohemia in perspective of the revolutionary movements of the 19th century with Delacroix as a political and pictorial reference.
activity/1051-la-boheme-giacomo-puccini
Dialogues of the Carmelites of Poulenc, January 25-31, 2026
A reflection on faith and sacrifice, carried by a high-level cast, Poulenc’s opera, shot through by a deep spiritual concern, remains on a dramatic level, a devastating spectacle which culminates in the final scene, when the Carmelites die under the blows of the Terror.
Curlew River by Benjamin Britten
I Didn’t Know Where To Put All My Tears, 29 mars – 3 avril 2026
A contemporary creation, exploring personal and collective stories, which is put into perspective with Britten’s opera: Curlew River. The stage liar Silvia Costa imagines a diptych which questions the resources of the language of Noh theater…; the expected show thus includes the world premiere of Serbian composer Marko Nikodijević as part of the lyrical creation laboratory, NOX (Nancy Opera Xperience). For its part, Britten’s chosen work is rare, it addresses universal themes of loss and redemption.
VERDI: Messa da Requiem, May 27-June 2, 2026
Giuseppe Verdi’s Requiem is one of the most powerful sacred works of classical music. Originally, Verdi envisioned a mass in homage to Rossini, but it was the death of Alessandro Manzoni, an Italian writer admired by Verdi for his humanist and patriotic commitment, which decided the composer to imagine this spiritual gesture expressing his fascination with the existential questions of universal judgment and the human condition.
CONCERTS & SPECIAL EVENTS
Carousel Fantasies
On February 15, 2026, a festive and eclectic event for all audiences.
Oh La La La! Operettas on the Promenade
From June 26 to July 1, 2026, a light and joyful celebration of operetta.
DANCE & YOUNG AUDIENCE
A varied dance program, including creations and shows adapted to young audiences, reinforcing the openness and accessibility of the opera.
Le Pladec / Martens / Tharp, 5-9 Nov 2025
Infos : activity/1044-le-pladec-martens-tharp
Placed under the direction of Maud Le Pladec since January 2025, the CCN – Ballet de Lorraine is fully in keeping with its times, as evidenced by this recreation, Works (2016). Michael Gordon’s electrifying music revisits Beethoven in a whirlwind of energy, offering the ten dancers of the Ballet de Lorraine the opportunity to seize the codes of classical music to better transcend them.
De Keersmaeker / Papadopoulos, February 5 and 6, 2026
Infos: activity/1063-de-keersmaeker-papadopoulos
In response to Arnold Schoenberg, who indicated that his music “was limited to painting nature and the play of human emotions”, the choreographer Anne Teresa De Keersmaeker created a transposition of Verklärte Nacht (The Transfigured Night), a work of dark romanticism which recounts the heartbreaking confession of a woman to her lover, confessing to him that she is carrying someone else’s child.
For young audiences, more than 10 adapted shows of high artistic quality, including Carrousel (from September 12 to February 15, 2026), “Opéra au cradle” (Oct 21-June 6, 2026), “Haunted Opera” (Oct 31-Nov 1, 2026), Children in tune with the orchestra / workshop dedicated to children, September 19-June 12, 2026)… More info: program?c=47
DIVERSITY
The new season offers many other programs and musical experiences including chamber music (“The artists’ show”, from October 11 to June 20, 2026), “ fantasies » (among others, Princess Turandot, illustrated concert on March 20 and 21, 2026), not counting several concerts to the theme in relation to the general color of the new season: cycle of “Courage” concerts (Goubaidulina, Profokiev, Shostakovich, March 26, 27, 2026), cycle “Place for soloists”, the musicians of the Orchestra in the spotlight (April 2, 3, 29, 30, 2026), “Secret lights” (June 11 and 12, 2026)…
For more details and to reserve your places, visit the official website: opera-nancy.fr
National Opera of NANCY-LORRAINE
1, rue Sainte-Catherine
54000 Nancy FRANCE
Standard : 03.83.85.33.20
Ticket office: 03.83.85.33.11
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