Opera is once again stepping out of the theatre and into the heart of the city, with Opera for All returning to Fed Square on Saturday 14 March 2026. Now in its fourth consecutive year, the much-loved open-air concert promises a relaxed evening of world-class music, completely free and open to everyone.
Presented by BMW Australia in partnership with Opera Australia, the concert is part of a global initiative that brings opera to public spaces in cities including Munich, Berlin and London. In Melbourne, Fed Square becomes the stage for an accessible celebration of one of the world’s most enduring art forms.
The 2026 edition features a fresh line-up of four acclaimed opera singers performing some of the repertoire’s most recognisable arias. They will be supported by 20 musicians from Orchestra Victoria, under the baton of conductor Brian Castles-Onion, who returns for another year. As the sun goes down, the Australian Girls Choir will open proceedings with a 20-minute prelude, setting the tone for the evening ahead.
Award-winning soprano, writer and ABC broadcaster Greta Bradman AM will host the event as Master of Ceremonies. Adding a powerful local moment to the program, First Nations opera singer Shauntai Abdul-Rahman will deliver a special Welcome to Country performance.
Running from 6:30pm to 8:00pm, BMW Opera for All offers a chance to picnic on the plaza, gather with friends or simply wander through and be swept up in the music. Whether you know every aria or are hearing opera live for the first time, the atmosphere is designed to be welcoming and unpretentious.
Opera Australia CEO Alex Budd said: “We’re delighted to partner with BMW to present an evening of opera that’s accessible to all – whether it’s an audience member experiencing their first or their 50th aria. As we celebrate 70 years in 2026, our job is the same – to make vibrant, relevant and artistically ambitious work, nurturing the artists who embody our creative spirit, and to welcome audiences to join us to experience this beloved artform at its very best.”
More information can be found at opera.org.au.
