FEDORA - Usage of AI on Stage: Insights on the Future of Opera

Laila - Immersive Installation © Finnish National Opera and Ballet i

Usage of AI on Stage: Insights on the Future of Opera

Industry News

In the January 2026 issue of Opéra Magazine, the article "L’Opéra Frappe les Trois Coups de l’IA" by Jean-Marc Proust highlights a striking trend: artificial intelligence is no longer a supplementary tool, but a central driver of creative experimentation in opera and live performance.

From Bayreuth’s AI-assisted staging of the 2026 Ring to immersive experiences like Séisme in Montpellier or From Dust in Rotterdam, the article illustrates how AI is reshaping how productions are imagined, staged, and experienced, allowing audiences to actively participate in performances in real time. The article highlights projects such as The Sound Voice Project, winner of the FEDORA Digital Prize 2023, where composer Hannah Conway worked with researchers to reconstruct the voices of people affected by laryngeal cancer, integrating these recreated voices into live performances alongside professional singers.

As noted by our director Edilia Gänz, FEDORA has observed that AI is transforming the way artists approach creation and that the growing number of innovative projects submitted for our prizes reflects a clear shift in the performing arts landscape. The article emphasizes that while AI opens unprecedented possibilities, from recreating lost works to designing immersive experiences, the human artistic signature, whether from the director, composer, or performer, remains irreplaceable. Ethical, copyright, and transparency considerations are also highlighted, reflecting broader questions about the future of creativity in the digital age.

As explained in the article, AI is becoming the “machinery” of contemporary opera, offering both new tools and new challenges. As experimentation accelerates, we believe that festivals and institutions worldwide will need to navigate this evolving landscape thoughtfully, ensuring that technology amplifies rather than replaces human artistry, and that projects like The Sound Voice Project continue to demonstrate how innovation can serve inclusion, creativity, and the live experience.

January–February 2026 issue of Opéra Magazine

The January–February 2026 issue of Opéra Magazine features interviews with Sonya Yoncheva, Livia Stoianova & Yassen Samouilov, and Camille Schnoor; a feature on AI in opera; a portrait of Romeo Castellucci; behind-the-scenes coverage of the Palais Garnier; ballet, music, and literary highlights; reviews of performances and festivals; and practical guides for recordings, books, and international programming.

Discover the Issue