The Teatro de la Llotja in Lleida is set to inaugurate its 2026-2027 opera and zarzuela season on 8 November at 18:00 with a performance of El elisir de amore by Gaetano Donizetti, presented by the Fundación Ópera en Cataluña (FOC). This marks the beginning of a season that will feature three significant titles from the lyrical repertoire, including the zarzuela Canción de amor y de guerra by Rafael Martínez Valls on 7 March 2027, and Aida by Giuseppe Verdi on 19 May 2027.
With this programming, the Teatro de la Llotja reaffirms its commitment to promoting lyrical music and aims to make opera and zarzuela accessible to all citizens, establishing Lleida as a key venue in the Catalan opera circuit.
The production, which will tour eleven Catalan cities until 13 November, features stage direction by Pau Monterde and musical direction by Daniel Gil de Tejada, alongside a talented cast including tenors Manuel de Diego and Álvaro Diana, sopranos Laura Gibert, Ruth Terán, and Mireia Tarragó, as well as baritones Pau Armengol, Gabriel Mas, Toni Marsol, and Sebastià Serra. Additionally, the production supports the training and promotion of new lyrical talents with two performances by the cast of the 30th School of Opera in Sabadell, dedicated to this work by Donizetti, complementing the four professional performances.
Accessibility initiatives
The Teatro de la Llotja strengthens its commitment to cultural accessibility through various services and initiatives aimed at ensuring that everyone can enjoy the operatic experience. For the performance of El elisir de amore, a tactile visit will be organised one hour prior to the show for blind or visually impaired individuals, allowing them to closely explore elements of the set design, costumes, and other production components.
Furthermore, the performance will include hearing assistance services, individual magnetic loops, and subtitles to aid those with hearing needs. Spectators wishing to use the hearing assistance system can purchase tickets for any seat in the auditorium and request an individual device with headphones in advance. For optimal subtitle viewing, it is recommended that audience members choose seats from row seven onwards.
This initiative aligns with the cultural department's goal of ensuring access to and enjoyment of culture, making opera a more inclusive, accessible, and open experience for all citizens.
Enriching the operatic experience
To enhance the audience experience and facilitate a better understanding of the works, the season will include various complementary activities. On 8 November, a pre-performance talk about El elisir de amore will be led by Meritxell Tena. This activity, part of the 360° activities programme, will provide the audience with insights into the plot, context, and musical characteristics of the work before they enjoy the performance.
One of the season's objectives is to broaden the geographical reach of the programming and spark interest in opera among new audiences. To this end, informative talks will be scheduled in various municipalities within the Lleida region to introduce the productions, facilitate understanding, and encourage local residents to attend performances at the Teatro de la Llotja. This initiative aims to reinforce Lleida's role as a cultural meeting point and extend operatic programming beyond the city.
Season subscription offer
To facilitate access to the lyrical programming and encourage audience attendance, the Teatro de la Llotja is offering a season subscription for €60, which includes all three scheduled productions: El elisir de amore, Canción de amor y de guerra, and Aida. The Teatro de la Llotja is part of the network of theatres hosting productions from the Fundación Ópera en Cataluña, sharing programming with other major performance venues across the country. This participation helps solidify Lleida's presence in the Catalan opera circuit, allowing the people of Ponent to enjoy large-scale lyrical productions without needing to travel to other cities. Tickets can be purchased at the box offices of the Auditorio Municipal Enric Granados, the Teatro del Escorxador, and the Teatro de la Llotja.
