# 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.

By PrimaryBrief newsroom · Published 2026-10-22T23:25:45.559162Z
Canonical: https://primarybrief.com/article/met-opera-premieres-lincoln-in-the-bardo-first-commissioned-work-by-a-woman-composer-a498b38d

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 [1][2][3][5][9][10]. 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 [2][3][4][5][7][8][9].

## What the records show
The new opera, based on George Saunders' 2017 Booker Prize-winning novel of the same name, features a libretto by Royce Vavrek [1][2][3][8][10]. The production, directed by Lileana Blain-Cruz, explores themes of grief, loss, and fatherhood, set during President Abraham Lincoln's mourning of his son Willie [2][3][7][8]. Yannick Nézet-Séguin conducted the premiere [2][4][7][11]. Peter Mattei performed the role of Lincoln, while Everett Sobers and Michael Hurst shared the role of Willie [1][2][4][8][11]. Christine Goerke appeared as the Reverend [2][4][8]. The story unfolds in 1862, focusing on the supernatural world of the "bardo," a transitional state between life and death [2][3][7][9][10].

## The timeline
The Metropolitan Opera began its 2026–2027 season in late September [6]. "Lincoln in the Bardo" then premiered on October 19, 2026 [1][2][3][7][8][9][10][11]. The opera is scheduled for performances through November 14, 2026 [11].

## What changed and for whom
Missy Mazzoli's premiere as the Met's first commissioned female composer marks a significant milestone for women in the arts [1][2][3][5][9][10]. The Metropolitan Opera has shown a commitment to new works, demonstrated by this commission and other contemporary productions in its season lineup [4][7][8]. This event provides an opportunity for audiences to experience a modern operatic adaptation of a recent literary success [1][2][3].

## What the subject has said publicly
Missy Mazzoli described a scene, clarifying that 65 trained opera singers would be "playing the kazoo" in the production [9]. The Metropolitan Opera's Instagram post celebrating the premiere referred to it as a "uniquely American world premiere" [11].

## What we could not confirm
We could not confirm the specific budget for the production of "Lincoln in the Bardo." We also could not confirm future performance dates beyond November 14, 2026.

## Evidence cited
1. The Met’s “Lincoln in the Bardo” delivers much magic, some flaws - New York Classical Review — https://newyorkclassicalreview.com/
2. A hauntingly beautiful Lincoln in the Bardo at the Met Opera — review — https://bachtrack.com/
3. Lincoln in the Bardo — https://wisemusicclassical.com/
4. Missy Mazzoli's Lincoln in the Bardo Debuts at Metropolitan Opera in NYC — https://berkshirefinearts.com/
5. Met Opera premiere of ‘Lincoln in the Bardo’ is a triumph — https://washingtonpost.com/
6. Met Opera 2026–2027 Season — https://nyctourism.com/
7. Lincoln in the Bardo - Metropolitan Opera (2026) - Lincoln in the Bardo - Metropolitan Opera (2026), Lileana Blain-Cruz — https://opera-online.com/
8. What Did Reviews Say About Lincoln in the Bardo at the Met Opera? — https://playbill.com/
9. Missy Mazzoli’s ‘Lincoln in the Bardo’ premieres at the Met Opera — https://krps.org/
10. Meet The Visionaries Translating ‘Lincoln In The Bardo’ To Stage At The Met Opera. — https://service95.com/
11. The Metropolitan Opera on Instagram: "Celebrating a uniquely American world premiere ✨ Composer @missymazzoli’s and librettist @rvavrek’s adaptation of George Saunders’s award-winning novel Lincoln in the Bardo arrives on the Met stage tonight (October 19), directed by @lileanablaincruzofficial. Ahead of its first performance, here’s a glimpse at the eagerly anticipated production, featuring a starry ensemble led by Peter Mattei as Lincoln. Music Director @nezetseguin conducts. 📅 Lincoln in the  (instagram.com) — https://www.instagram.com/p/DB07d0fR0x8/?hl=en