‘Disappointing’: Adelaide-bound grand opera cancelled
A $20 million opera slated to join the Adelaide Festival program in 2027 has been cancelled, but no taxpayer money for the major event had changed hands.
Ticketholders for the state government-supported production of Verdi’s AIDA were today informed that the show had been cancelled.
The promoter TEG Live sent emails out to about 17,000 ticketholders today saying it had made “the difficult decision” to cancel the opera that was due to take place at Adelaide Oval in February 2027.
Rising costs of travel, freight and insurance amid the ongoing war in the Middle East were reasons for the cancellation. The organisers said ticketholders would receive a full refund.
It comes after the opera was delayed by a year – its original shows scheduled for February 5 and 6, 2026. At the time, organisers said maritime export complications were to blame for the delay, making it “impossible” for 28 containers of materials for the opera to arrive in time for the original 2026 shows.
The opera was an early addition to the 2027 Adelaide Festival program, which was hailed as a “historic” event since it was the first time AIDA – which involves 800 people, including a 100-piece orchestra – would leave Verona and make its international debut in Adelaide.
Shadow Arts Minister Heidi Girolamo said it was “a real shame for South Australian opera fans and the broader arts sector”.
“South Australians deserve to know that no one has been left out of pocket because of the initial mishandling.
“The government must come clean on the full cost of this debacle and explain exactly how much taxpayers are being forced to pay.”
A state government spokesperson confirmed today that “no payments had been made to the organisers”.
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“Whilst it is disappointing news that Fondazione Arena di Verona’s production of Zeffirelli’s AIDA will no longer be staged, we understand the organiser’s decision to cancel the event, noting it will be refunding all ticket holders,” the spokesperson said.
The news was an early blow to Adelaide Festival’s 2027 program, which was yet to be announced, and comes months after its Adelaide Writers’ Week event was also cancelled from its 2026 program.
Adelaide Festival generated an estimated $40.8 million in gross expenditure in 2026, hosting more than 100 performances over 17 days.
Adelaide Festival was contacted for comment.
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