Four Reasons to Check Out the Canadian Opera Company This Season
I’ve been going to the opera for over a decade and a half (jeez, where has the time gone?!). Going to the COC was an instrumental part of developing my appreciation for the performing arts. It’s an art form that has lasted for centuries and, despite what some Dune actors may say, is NOT an industry void of life.
The problem is, a lot of people don’t see themselves as “opera people.”
Now look, if you’ve ever thought opera wasn’t really “for you,” the Canadian Opera Company’s 2026/27 season might be the perfect reason to reconsider. After attending opening night of Mozart’s Così fan Tutte, I was reminded that a night at the opera can be just as fun, surprising and accessible as any other night out in Toronto.
And to further prove my point, here are my top four reasons to check out the COC this season.
1. There’s way more variety than you might expect
One of my favourite things about the COC is that there isn’t just one type of opera experience. This season moves between beloved classics, comedy, drama and bold contemporary storytelling, meaning there are plenty of different ways to experience the art form.
For example, I’m so excited to check out their January production of The Turn of the Screw, a ghost story that dives into the “exploration of innocence corrupted, perception unmoored, and fear made flesh.”
A spooky psychological exploration? Sign me up!
So, whether you’re drawn to the grandeur and tradition people usually associate with opera or you want something that feels fresh and unexpected, there’s definitely something for you.
2. You don’t have to be an “opera person” to enjoy it
Opera can have a reputation for being intimidating, but you really don’t need to know much to enjoy it. If you’re super unsure, you can always read a summary of the story online or in the program, but you can also just go in with an open mind, knowing that you’re going to hear beautiful music, incredible singing and experience stunning visuals, from the sets to the costumes.
There’s also a misconception that you won’t understand the story because you may not understand the language they’re singing in. But above the stage, SURTITLES™ appear with a simultaneous translation of what’s being sung.
And in a lot of cases, opera producers and directors are looking for ways to innovate these shows, bringing them into a more modern context. Così fan tutte, for example, takes Mozart’s centuries-old comedy about love, loyalty and temptation and places it inside a school science lab, turning relationships into a literal experiment.
That’s part of the fun of seeing these works today: classic music and stories can be completely transformed by a new production. You can simply show up, experience it and decide what you think.
3. It’s more affordable than you might think
The perception that theatre in any capacity is too expensive is a fair one, but it isn’t entirely accurate. A night out at the opera doesn’t have to come with a huge price tag, especially at the COC, where there are ticket options available at a range of price points.
They have rush tickets, arts worker tickets, an Under 30 rate and my favourite way to watch opera: $15 standing room tickets. When I was in university, every opera I saw was with a standing room ticket because I didn’t mind leaning on a ledge for the duration of the performance in exchange for an experience I couldn’t have enjoyed otherwise.
Now, I admit, standing for anywhere from an hour and a half to six hours is not the most ideal situation for everyone, but it was the option that worked for me!
I’m thankful that places like the COC have programs and opportunities that make accessing art more fair and reasonable. If cost has been one of the things stopping you from checking it out, it’s worth taking a look at the different seating and ticket options before ruling it out.
Want to learn more about ways to save? Click here: https://www.coc.ca/tickets/ticket-services
4. It makes a night out feel like an occasion
Sometimes you just need an excuse to get dressed up, wear something that makes you feel special and enjoy an evening of art and culture.
Going to the Four Seasons Centre, grabbing a drink before the performance, taking in the space and then settling in for a full-scale production feels like an actual event. And again, while you absolutely can use the opera as your excuse to get fancy, you don’t have to. The experience can be as dressed-up, casual, romantic, social or spontaneous as you want it to be.
Heck, I go to the opera in jeans and a T-shirt, and clearly the COC says that’s A-OK in their books. Make the night what you want it to be!
The COC’s 2026/27 season continues through May 2027, giving you plenty of opportunities to find a production that speaks to you. If you’ve never been before, this might be the season to give it a try—you may discover that opera is much more your thing than you thought.
PROMO CODE TERMS AND CONDITIONS: The offer code excludes Opera Under 30, Grand Ring, Ring 5 Middle and $35 tickets, and does not apply to previously made purchases or other mainstage operas.
THE EXTRA MILE EXCLUSIVE – Save 15% on tickets to the COC with code “TEMCOC15”. Please see bottom of article for terms and conditions.
[Review by Shan Fernando]