Adelaide has officially locked in one of the biggest operatic events ever staged in Australia, with Franco Zeffirelli’s legendary production of AIDA confirmed for two spectacular nights at Adelaide Oval in February 2027.
Set to take place on Friday 26 and Saturday 27 February 2027, the international opera spectacular will form part of the Adelaide Festival program, transforming the Oval into an open-air stage on a scale rarely seen anywhere in the world.
Originally scheduled for February 2026, the production was postponed due to complex international shipping challenges involving 28 containers of costumes, sets, instruments and technical equipment travelling from Verona. With new dates now confirmed, Australian audiences will finally experience the production exactly as intended — in full, uncompromised grandeur.
The production brings together the complete artistic forces of the Fondazione Arena di Verona, the world-renowned institution behind one of the most celebrated opera productions of all time. First staged in Italy, Zeffirelli’s AIDA has become synonymous with scale, spectacle and visual excess, and its Adelaide debut marks the first time the production has ever been staged outside Verona.
In total, the event will involve 389 international performers and staff travelling from Italy, alongside 300 local cast and crew. This includes 155 extras and a 50-member chorus from State Opera South Australia, as well as 106 musicians from the renowned Arena di Verona Orchestra. Direction is by Franco Zeffirelli, with stage direction by Stefano Trespidi, while the international principal cast will be announced in early 2026.
The opera unfolds as a sweeping tale of love, war, betrayal and destiny set in ancient Egypt, brought to life through towering sets, opulent costumes and a cinematic scale designed to be seen under the stars. Whether you’re a lifelong opera lover or experiencing the artform for the first time, this is being positioned as a true once-in-a-generation cultural moment.
TEG Global Head of Touring Tim McGregor described the production as “one of the most significant cultural events to come to Australia,” calling its Adelaide debut “a landmark moment for live performance.” Fondazione Arena di Verona General Manager Cecilia Gasdia added that the 2027 dates allow the company to fully realise the artistic vision of the opera on Australian soil, while Adelaide Festival Artistic Director Matthew Lutton said the production would be “an epic companion” to the broader international program planned for the festival.
Tickets for the original dates remain valid for the rescheduled performances, with ticketholders to be contacted directly by TEG Live. Refund requests are available for those unable to attend the new dates, with applications closing on Thursday 15 January 2026.
Performance details
Adelaide Oval
Friday 26 February 2027
Saturday 27 February 2027
Tickets are on sale now.
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