Particle.news
Download on the App Store

Opera Philadelphia Revives Gershwins’ ‘Let ’Em Eat Cake’ for 2026–27 Season

The dark satire underscores a push for timely programming during the 2026 election season.

Overview

  • Opera Philadelphia announced its 2026–27 lineup Tuesday, headlined by Let ’Em Eat Cake, a Gershwin satire seldom staged in the United States since 1933.
  • The production is set for January at the Academy of Music with music director Corrado Rovaris leading the orchestra and chorus and Zack Winokur directing.
  • The season also features Mozart’s Mitridate with tenor Lawrence Brownlee, the new opera Suddenly Last Summer by Courtney Bryan, a reimagined Aida, and the premiere of Sitcom.
  • General director Anthony Roth Costanzo said the choice feels pertinent as midterms near, calling the work a cathartic and biting reflection on politics.
  • The company reports $21 million raised toward a $33 million campaign goal and will continue pick-your-price tickets with $11 options that give subscribers first access.