It’s back on again: New dates for Adelaide’s $20m grand opera
Adelaide’s grand state government-supported production of Verdi’s AIDA – postponed at Adelaide Oval after much fanfare – now has a new date.
Franco Zeffirelli’s legendary production of Verdi’s AIDA is now officially confirmed to take place at Adelaide Oval for two performances on Friday, February 26, and Saturday, February 27, as part of the 2027 Adelaide Festival program.
Originally announced to be performed in February 2026 with much fanfare, the $20m event was suddenly put on hold earlier this year.
The state government-supported event had been hailed as a tourism coup and thousands of tickets were already sold for the opera originally meant to be performed on February 5 and Feburary 6.
Organisers said the production being staged by the world-famous Fondazione Arena di Verona was postponed “due to unforeseen international shipping challenges affecting the transport of 28 containers of costumes, sets, instruments, and technical equipment from Verona”.
The new dates for the event, to be performed outside Verona in Italy for the first time, were welcomed by Adelaide Festival director Matthew Lutton.
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“We are pleased to welcome AIDA as an early addition to the 2027 Adelaide Festival program,” he said.
“It will be an epic companion to the suite of the world’s best international opera, theatre and dance productions currently planned for the 2027 festival program.”
The operatic event brings together the complete artistic forces of the Fondazione Arena di Verona, with organisers saying it would showcase the grandeur, spectacle and authenticity “that have made Zeffirelli’s AIDA one of the most celebrated opera productions in the world”.
AIDA was expected to feature 389 international performers and staff from the Fondazione Arena di Verona in northern Italy, complemented by 300 local cast and crew, including 155 extras and a 50-member chorus from State Opera South Australia.
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The production will include 106 musicians of the renowned Fondazione Arena di Verona Orchestra.
TEG Global head of touring Tim McGregor described AIDA as “one of the most significant cultural events to come to Australia”.
“Presenting Zeffirelli’s iconic production in Adelaide for the first time is a landmark moment for live performance,” he said.
General Manager of Fondazione Arena di Verona Cecilia Gasdia said the confirmed February 2027 dates “give us the opportunity to fully realise the artistic vision of this iconic opera on Australian soil”.
The opera is set in ancient Egypt and tells a sweeping tale of love, war, betrayal, and destiny that is now set to unfold beneath the stars at Adelaide Oval.
Direction will be undertaken by Franco Zeffirelli and the Stage Director is Stefano Trespidi with the international principal cast to be announced in early 2026.
Organisers said tickets bought for the original dates remained valid and those unable to make the new dates should lodge refund requests.
