The 2025 Season was presented by the artistic director of the Compañía Nacional de Ópera and the Estudio Ópera de Bellas Artes, Marcelo Lombardero. Among the highlighted productions are Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk by D. Shostakovich (March); Rigoletto by G. Verdi (May); the Mexican premiere of Un re in ascolto by L. Berio (July); and two galas in September, one of which will celebrate the 70th anniversary of the Orquesta del Teatro Bellas Artes with a concert and a program on R. Wagner and R. Strauss. From December 7 to 11, La leyenda de Rudel by Ricardo Castro will premiere in collaboration with the Centro Nacional de Investigación, Documentación e Información Musical Carlos Chávez.

The Secretaría de Cultura del Gobierno de México and the Instituto Nacional de Bellas Artes y Literatura (INBAL), through the Compañía Nacional de Ópera, announce the programming for the 2025 season.

In a press conference, the artistic director of the Compañía Nacional de Ópera and the Estudio Ópera de Bellas Artes, Marcelo Lombardero, expressed his enthusiasm: “It is a great pleasure, pride, and joy for me to present this first season. This company has a long and impressive history, of which I feel the obligation to be a participant and honor it.”

He mentioned that the focus is on renewing the operatic repertoire with an innovative approach that addresses themes such as abuse and patriarchal violence. Additionally, there will be a special focus on commemorations such as the 70th anniversary of the Orquesta del Teatro Bellas Artes, and premieres in Mexico of pieces like Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk by Dmitri Shostakovich. There will also be space for the recovery of the Mexican opera music collection.

Lombardero also highlighted the importance of strengthening the company’s artistic groups: “Musical theater and opera are a collective construction. For us, it is essential to strengthen scenic and technical productions and offer the audience the opportunity to experience an art form that is made in community and culminates in an enriching event for both the company and the audience.”

The artistic director of the Compañía Nacional de Ópera and the Estudio Ópera de Bellas Artes, Marcelo Lombardero. Photo: Press of the Secretaría de Cultura.

Highlighted Productions

Under these premises, the season will open on February 2 with Romeo and Juliet, a dramatic symphony by Hector Berlioz, conducted by Stefan Lano. Regarding the piece, Lombardero remarked: “Berlioz invented a revolutionary dramatic-musical form for his time, and it is a work that involves the hearts of our company: its choir and orchestra.”

On March 20, 23, 25, 27, and 30, Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk by Dmitri Shostakovich, one of the most impactful operas of the 20th century, will be presented. “We will open our lyric season with a premiere that also commemorates the 50th anniversary of Shostakovich’s death. It is one of the most impressive works in the history of musical theater,” added Lombardero.

On April 13, tenor Javier Camarena will headline the Gala Tosti, accompanied by pianist Ángel Rodríguez.

In May, from the 8th to the 18th, Rigoletto by Giuseppe Verdi will be staged. “This classic work brings us closer to the theme of abuse of power and patriarchy, in line with the reflection we propose this year,” said Lombardero.

On June 8, tenor Arturo Chacón-Cruz will celebrate his 25-year career with a special gala. In July, on the 1st, 3rd, and 6th, Un re in ascolto by Luciano Berio will premiere in Mexico. “We want to offer the Mexican audience a work of this musical, theatrical, and dramatic quality, with a marvelous text. We are one of the few theaters in the world that will commemorate the centenary of Berio’s birth,” commented the artistic director of the Compañía Nacional de Ópera.

Two galas will be held in September: on the 7th, the 70th anniversary of the Orquesta del Teatro Bellas Artes will be commemorated, while on the 14th, the Gala del Coro del Teatro Bellas Artes will take place. “The great moment will be our celebration of the 70 years of the Orquesta del Teatro Bellas Artes with a concert and a program about Wagner and Strauss,” added the director.

In October, from the 9th to the 19th, Elektra by Richard Strauss, one of the most intense operas in the repertoire, will be presented. “Following the thematic line addressing violence and patriarchal abuse, we will stage it after more than 30 years,”he said.

From December 7 to 11, La leyenda de Rudel by Ricardo Castro will premiere in collaboration with the Centro Nacional de Investigación, Documentación e Información Musical Carlos Chávez. Finally, between December 16 and 18, the season will close with the world premiere of Misa solemne dedicada a la Virgen de Guadalupe by Melesio Morales in the Zócalo of Mexico City. “We will close our season with the premiere of this work, a popular event that will mark the end of an operatic year,” concluded Lombardero.

With this programming, the Compañía Nacional de Ópera reaffirms its commitment to innovation and tradition. Tickets will be available at the Palacio de Bellas Artes box office and on digital platforms prior to the premiere dates.