Ópera Actual, the leading opera magazine in Spanish, publishes its first special issue presenting the programming of more than 40 Ibero-American theatres, festivals, and lyric companies from the Ópera Latinoamérica network. With contributions from organisations across 12 countries in the region and presentations by Ópera XXI, Ópera Europa, and OPERA America, the special issue invites readers to explore the artistic richness and diversity of the seasons, as well as projects in innovation, sustainable development, and audience development, amongst other initiatives.

Featuring contributions from more than 40 organisations, theatres, festivals, and companies across 130 pages, the Spanish magazine Ópera Actual presents its first special issue in which the theatres of the Ópera Latinoamérica (OLA) network showcase their lyric programming for 2026.

The special issue — available to read for free on the websites of Ópera Actual and OLA — is a journey through the opera, zarzuela, and concert seasons of institutions from 12 countries across Latin America, the Caribbean, and the Iberian Peninsula. “From Mexico to Chile, from Brazil to Portugal and Spain, 2026 brings a blend of classics, heritage revivals and new creations, new productions and transatlantic collaborations, with creativity and innovation as the common thread,” writes Paulina Ricciardi, executive director of OLA, in her introduction to the issue.

Highlights include world premieres such as Dementia (Óscar Strasnoy) at the Teatro Colón de Buenos Aires, the first Latin American staging of Intolleranza (Luigi Nono) at the Theatro Municipal de São Paulo, and a commemoration of the 80th birthday of Brazilian writer Conceição Evaristo with Uma Ópera Escrevivência (Juliana Ripke) at the Theatro São Pedro.

The issue also features classics from the universal repertoire, such as La bohème (G. Puccini) with stage direction by Cristina Gallardo-Domâs at the Teatro Municipal de Santiago, and co-productions such as Yerma, which brings together the Auditorio de Tenerife and the Teatro de la Zarzuela with the Brazilian festivals Festival Amazonas de Ópera and the Ópera del Theatro da Paz de Belén.

Ibero-America through the lens of opera

This special issue is the fruit of a partnership between Ópera Actual and Ópera Latinoamérica, committed to placing the Ibero-American region on the international map of the lyric circuit through collaborations that highlight projects in innovation and sustainable development, artistic programming, and initiatives across various aspects of theatre and cultural organisation management.

The issue also includes a showcase of projects in which technology and creative hubs take centre stage, with case studies from Brazil, Spain, Mexico, Peru, Portugal, and the Dominican Republic.

OLA’s international ties with other organisations also feature in this edition, with special presentations by Isamay Benavente, president of Ópera XXI; Martin Glaser, president of Ópera Europa; and Michael J. Bobbitt, president of OPERA America.

“Culture is the most honest and enduring dialogue between nations. Working in arts management is, in essence, contributing to the care of a society’s soul. Those of us invited to do so must responsibly and knowledgeably manage the aspects that ensure a long life for opera,” says Carmen Gloria Larenas, chair of the board of OLA and general director of the Teatro Municipal de Santiago, in her welcome address.

An invitation to explore Ibero-America in all its diversity, cultural richness, and vibrant creativity.