Pittsburgh Opera’s 88th season raises its curtain in grand style: Verdi’s Rigoletto at the Benedum Center, with performances October 16 and 18, 2026 (following the October 10 opening). The sharp-witted jester, his sheltered daughter Gilda and the reckless Duke return in the production whose scenery was constructed by Atlanta Opera — sung in Italian with English supertitles.
The season ahead spans four venues and five operas: Gluck’s Orpheus & Eurydice in November, Handel’s Partenope in January, a world premiere in February, and Gounod’s Romeo & Juliet closing the season in April. New General Director William Powers leads the company into its 88th year with a lineup balancing beloved chestnuts and bold new work.
Rigoletto plays Friday, October 16 at 7 p.m. and Sunday, October 18 at 2 p.m. at the Benedum Center, 237 7th Street downtown. Tickets at pittsburghopera.org.
