Met Opera Premieres 'Lincoln in the Bardo,' First Commissioned Work by a Woman Composer
Missy Mazzoli's 'Lincoln in the Bardo' debuted on October 19, 2026, marking a historic first for the Metropolitan Opera with a main-stage commission and premiere from a female composer.
AI-generated editorial illustration. Not a photograph of the event.
THE PRIMARY BRIEF
01 · The primary finding
The Metropolitan Opera premiered "Lincoln in the Bardo" on October 19, 2026, the first main-stage opera solely commissioned and premiered by the Met from a female composer, Missy Mazzoli.
02 · The primary evidence
Records confirm the October 19, 2026, premiere of "Lincoln in the Bardo" and Mazzoli's status as the first female composer commissioned and premiered by the Met.
03 · Why it matters
This event is a significant milestone for gender representation in opera and underscores the Met's commitment to contemporary works.
11 cited sources · 11 independent publishers
The Metropolitan Opera premiered "Lincoln in the Bardo" on October 19, 2026, marking the first time the institution has solely commissioned and premiered a main-stage opera from a female composer, Missy Mazzoli. This premiere signifies a notable step towards greater gender representation in the opera world and highlights the Met's ongoing effort to introduce contemporary works to its stage.