The Grange Festival has unveiled its 2026 programme, promising a vibrant season of opera, concerts, and dance from 2 June to 12 July 2026.
Following a record-breaking 2025, which saw a 62% increase in ticket sales and a 111% rise in Under 36 Tickets, the Festival continues its commitment to artistic excellence and innovation.
The 2026 season includes seven programmes and 26 performances, featuring three new opera productions, three concert events, and the return of Ballet Black.
Chief Executive Tyler Stoops said, “What excites me most about 2026 is the range of voices and visions we’re bringing together. Following our record-breaking 2025, we’ve raised the bar even higher with over 40 Festival debuts, three new opera productions from outstanding directors, some of the world’s best conductors, a genre-bending exploration of opera and soul, celebrations of Sinatra and Ballet Black—we needed an extra week to fit it all in! This season shows what’s possible when you combine artistic ambition with genuine innovation—honouring tradition while fearlessly pushing forward.”
Opera highlights include La Bohème, directed by David Geselson and conducted by Richard Farnes, with the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra. The cast features Isabela Diaz (Mimì), Rhian Lois (Musetta), Luke Norvell (Rodolfo), and Patrick Dow (Marcello).
Eugene Onegin will be directed by Max Webster and conducted by Lidiya Yankovskaya. Vladislav Chizhov stars as Onegin, alongside Ruzan Mantashyan as Tatyana.
Giulio Cesare sees David Alden directing and Christian Curnyn conducting the Early Opera Company. Tim Mead leads the cast as Giulio Cesare, with Sarah Brady as Cleopatra, Hugh Cutting as Tolomeo, and Jess Dandy as Cornelia.
Concert performances include La Clemenza di Tito, conducted by Christophe Rousset with Les Talens Lyriques, and starring Jeremy Ovenden as Tito.
Celebrating Sinatra returns with John Wilson conducting the Sinfonia of London and swing vocalist Matt Ford performing timeless classics.
The Soul of Opera, conducted by Daniel Bartholomew-Poyser with the Welsh National Opera Orchestra, explores the shared DNA of opera, soul, and gospel, inspired by Aretha Franklin’s rendition of Nessun Dorma.
Dance returns with Ballet Black celebrating its 25th anniversary. The programme includes Ingoma by Mthuthuzeli November and the UK premiere of a new work by Alvin Ailey star Hope Boykin.
Listings and ticket information can be found here.
