Charleston Opera Theater is thrilled to unveil its highly anticipated 2025-2026 season, featuring two beloved operatic masterpieces: Georges Bizet’s Carmen and Gioachino Rossini’s Il barbiere di Siviglia. This landmark season marks a continuation of the successful collaboration with the Charleston Symphony Orchestra, promising audiences an unforgettable musical and theatrical experience.
The season will open with Bizet’s Carmen, a fiery tale of passion, fate, and tragedy, with performances scheduled for November 7th, 9th, and 11th, 2025. Known for its iconic melodies and dramatic intensity, Carmen remains one of the most popular operas of all time, captivating audiences with its vibrant Spanish setting and unforgettable characters.
In the spring, Charleston Opera Theater will present Rossini’s comedic masterpiece, Il barbiere di Siviglia, on March 27th and 29th, 2026. This fast-paced and witty opera, filled with dazzling vocal fireworks and hilarious antics, tells the story of Figaro, the clever barber who helps young love triumph over adversity.
The Charleston Symphony Orchestra will once again join Charleston Opera Theater for both productions, reinforcing the power of collaboration in the Lowcountry’s performing arts community.
“We are delighted to continue our partnership with Charleston Opera Theater for the upcoming season,” said Michael Smith, Executive Director of the Charleston Symphony Orchestra. “These extraordinary productions exemplify the power of collaboration and our shared vision of creating unforgettable musical experiences for our community. Opera’s rich storytelling and musical depth align seamlessly with the Charleston Symphony’s mission, and we look forward to bringing these remarkable works to life with COT for all of Charleston.”
Charleston Opera Theater’s Executive Artistic Director, Harold Meers, expressed his enthusiasm for the upcoming season: “Charleston Opera Theater is thrilled to present TWO full productions next season with performances of a couple of audience favorites. We are happy to have our partner, The Charleston Symphony, joining us once again for this incredible season full of great music and theater!”
Both NEW productions will take place at the College of Charleston Sottile Theatre. Tickets and information for the 2025-2026 season will be available soon. For more details, visit www.charlestonoperatheater.org or follow us on social media for the latest updates.
