Detroit Opera’s 2026–27 season will showcase three productions centered on the theme of faith: “Tosca,” “Fiddler on the Roof” and Philip Glass’ “Satyagraha.” The season marks the second installment in the company’s three-year thematic cycle exploring major social issues through opera.
Music director Roberto Kalb, whose contract was recently extended through 2030, will conduct “Tosca” (Nov. 1, 5 and 7, 2026) and “Fiddler on the Roof” (March 14, 18 and 20, 2027). “Satyagraha” will receive a one-night-only performance on April 17, 2027, directed by James Blaszko.
“What excites me about this season is that each opera has its own unmistakable reason to be here,” said Kalb. “’Tosca’ gives us Puccini at his most theatrical in a dynamic new production. ‘Fiddler on the Roof’ brings one of the great stories of family and tradition with some of the most recognizable music to our stage. And ‘Satyagraha’ offers a rare, transformative musical experience that will be completely unique to Detroit. I’m thrilled that all three of these operas will feature our Detroit Opera Orchestra and Chorus prominently.”
The season opens with Louisa Proske’s new production of “Tosca,” relocating Puccini’s political thriller from Napoleonic Rome to an unnamed authoritarian state in the mid-20th century. South African soprano Masabane Rangwanasha will make both her Detroit Opera and role debut as Floria Tosca, joined by tenor Nathan Granner as Cavaradossi and bass-baritone Alfred Walker as Scarpia. The Detroit Opera Orchestra, Chorus and Youth Chorus will perform under Kalb’s baton.
The production of “Fiddler on the Roof” marks the musical’s first appearance at the Detroit Opera House since 2009. Crystal Manich’s staging, which premiered at Cincinnati Opera in 2025, stars Roland Wood as Tevye alongside Megan Marino as Golde, Helene Schneiderman as Yente, Sydney Baedke as Tzeitel, Rachel Blaustein as Hodel, Grace Ryan as Chava, P. Tucker Worley as Motel, Noam Heinz as Perchik and Phil Fiorini as Lazar Wolf.
The season concludes with “Satyagraha,” presented in honor of Glass’ 90th birthday in 2027. Performed in Sanskrit, the meditative opera explores Mahatma Gandhi’s philosophy of nonviolent resistance. Blaszko’s production will transform the Detroit Opera House into an immersive light and sound environment, with much of the cast drawn from the Detroit community.
“We are creating an image and light scape for ‘Satyagraha’ that extends far past the traditional stage and complements Philip Glass’ trance-like score,” says James Blaszko. “The pristine acoustics of the Detroit Opera House’s upper levels, as well as the divine architecture that envelops them, inspired me to direct this production entirely for an audience in the mezzanine and balcony. The lush environment will invite opera-goers to freely meditate on the themes of nonviolence, political resistance and spiritual awakening that are at the core of this groundbreaking tribute to Gandhi.”
An opening-night gala celebrating Detroit Opera’s 55th season will follow the Nov. 1 performance of “Tosca.” The company will continue offering $25 rush tickets to City of Detroit residents for all opera and dance productions, along with 50% discounts for military members, veterans and first responders.
Detroit Opera turns a page
Having just recently settled in the region with his wife and family, Kalb is all smiles when he talks about his present and future in Detroit.
“We bought [our house] on June 11, and we moved in July 1,” he said. “Insane, because my wife was nine months pregnant, but it’s been a great year. My wife and I spoke a little bit about where we wanted to plant roots. I went to the University of Michigan, so I spent five years in Ann Arbor, and then I’ve been music director in Detroit for the last three years. My wife works a lot in Europe, and I’m working more and more in Europe. We had to decide where we were going to live, and we chose Detroit. My daughter was born in Novi, and we bought a house in Grosse Pointe.
“We love it. We love the people — people are super kind. We love the vibrancy of the city. Also, we love the airport (because) we can travel to gigs very easily, so we’re very, very, very happy.”
Though Kalb’s title at the Opera House remains the same, he has also expanded into the artistic director void opened by the recent departure of Yuval Sharon. Kalb had a strong hand in selecting the upcoming season’s offerings.
“I’m super excited to have an expanded role in the curation and artistic direction of the company,” he said. “When I spoke about with Patty [Isaacson Sabee, Detroit Opera president and CEO] on structuring the seasons, I wanted to make sure that every title we presented was unmissable. When somebody looks at the entirety of the season, I want them to say, ‘I need to be at every single opera, every single ballet or dance performance that Detroit Opera is putting on.’
“We decided to embark on these three titles, which I think are really well balanced. There’s something for everyone, but also each one has something unique and special. And that’s what really has put Detroit Opera on the map — that everything’s a little bit unique in its own way. I spoke to a few of my New York friends who are big opera fans. They go to everything at the Met and all these theaters, and they all seem to be really excited. They said if they lived in Detroit, they would be at every single show. I’m excited, obviously, to be able to conduct two of them, and to be there for ‘Satyagraha,’ which is going to be also a really unique experience.”
Despite some recent financial troubles within the company, Kalb said things are turning around and he remains upbeat about its future.
“I’m very optimistic,” he said, “about the steps that the company has taken in the last year or two to be able to ensure that the opera is sustainable. I’ve had many, many meetings with Patty and the board, looking at the five-year outlook of where things are going, and I feel like we are in a place where the future — the long term plan — looks good. We’re able to really curate so that [the community is] able to experience opera and dance at the very highest level.
“We have a great dance season, as well, and we’re bringing back ‘The Nutcracker.’ Our orchestra has been dying to do it, and so many people have been asking for it to come back. And ‘Swan Lake!’ We’re doing some of everything — some standard repertoire, some interesting new repertoire — but I find it’s really exciting, and I think you can expect this sort of excitement and really interesting curation going forward.”
Learn more about Detroit Opera’s 2026-27 season at detroitopera.org.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit Opera has ‘Tosca,’ ‘Fiddler,’ Philip Glass in ’26-’27 lineup
Reporting by Duante Beddingfield, Detroit Free Press / Detroit Free Press
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Duante Beddingfield, Detroit Free Press | USA TODAY Network
